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The Department of Pediatrics promotes diversity, equity and inclusion as a prerequisite in advancing innovation and excellence in education, research and patient-centered care.

Pediatrics Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice Committee

It is the mission of the Department of Pediatrics at Indiana University School of Medicine to promote diversity, equity, inclusion and justice among students, trainees, faculty and staff as a prerequisite in advancing innovation and excellence in education, research and patient-centered care. We embrace the spectrum of human diversity that is inclusive but not limited to race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation and gender identity, disability and socioeconomic status. We affirm the essential dignity and value of every individual, their rights to safety and health and their ability to act on these rights in an environment free of intolerance, violence and discrimination. We strive to foster and maintain an anti-racist culture within our institution. The Department of Pediatrics must uphold these rights and create an environment where individuals can thrive.

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Diversity Throughout the Health Care System

Diversity, equity, inclusion and justice is being addressed throughout all the systems involved with the Department of Pediatrics.

Center for Inclusive Excellence at IU School of Medicine

Gender Health at Riley Children's Health

Vision

Promote diversity, equity, inclusion and justice to foster a community reflective of the patients we serve.

Core Values

Education
Education that fosters cultural consciousness, humility and anti-racist stance to demonstrate the crucial need for diversity, equity, inclusion and justice to support, retain and recruit diversity in residents, faculty and staff

Mentorship
Mentorship that creates an avenue for support, collaboration and opportunity for all individuals

Service
Service that promotes a culture of acceptance, inclusion, mutual trust and respect by addressing social determinants of health and the root causes of social injustice to advocate for health equity and decrease health disparities

Scholarship
Scholarship that promotes education, innovation, research and publication to recruit, retain and help to excel a diverse population of care providers and better care for our diverse patient population

Annual Intern Welcome Reception

The Indiana University School of Medicine Department of Pediatrics Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice Committee hosts an annual intern welcome reception. During this event, we set a standard for advocacy in terms of social justice and anti-racism.

Pillars of Diversity

Representational Diversity in Pediatrics

Representational Diversity

IU School of Medicine and the Department of Pediatrics strive to recruit, retain and promote talented trainees, faculty and staff from various backgrounds because we understand a diverse community is vital to our success and that of our patients.

Check out IUPUI's list of affinity groups.
State of the Faculty Report Representational Diversity
Inclusive Environment in Pediatrics

Inclusive Environment

IU School of Medicine and the Department of Pediatrics are committed to establishing an organizational culture in which differences—including race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation and other physical abilities and qualities—are present, highly valued and where all people are inspired, supported and encouraged to fully participate in the rich environment of this academic institution.

Learn more about programs through IU School of Medicine that are promoting an inclusive environment.
Second Look Program for Underrepresented in Medicine Residency and Fellowship Recruitment Inclusive Environment
Cultural Competence in Pediatrics

Cultural Competence

IU School of Medicine and the Department of Pediatrics offer cultural humility training to all learners, physicians, scientists, staff and educators to ensure each individual has the knowledge, skills and attitudes that allow them to work effectively with patients and their families, as well as with other members of the medical community. Culturally competent, patient-centered care is the foundation of providing excellent health care, eliminating health disparities and contributing to innovative breakthroughs in science.

Explore Indiana University's cultural competency training.

Find out about IU School of Medicine's annual LQBTQ conference.

Implementing Conversations to Advance Racial Equity (ICARE) Cultural Competence
Health Equity in Pediatrics

Health Equity

IU School of Medicine and the Department of Pediatrics are committed to advancing health equity through the education programs, research and patient care. These programs aspire to have everyone, particularly the historically excluded and underserved, receive equitable access, experiences, and quality of care. They plan to achieve this by focusing the health equity strategy on building partnerships, trust, and accountability.

Women’s Equality Day Commemorates the passage of the 19th Amendment, granting women the right to vote. This step forward for women was only the beginning of progressive shifts that helped women to become heard, seen, appreciated and respected. Over time, women slowly became a welcome voice in spaces where they were once silenced, and we are celebrating that success!

This year, Riley Children’s Health and the Department of Pediatrics honored Women’s Equality Day by creating space for our teammate voices to be heard regarding this monumental occasion. Help us continue to uplift the strides made and the work necessary to develop true equality for women.

Mistreatment Reporting

The Department of Pediatrics takes professionalism very seriously. If you have experienced mistreatment, please visit this link for the mistreatment reporting form. Additionally, both positive experiences where team members feel valued and interactions that do not align with IU Health values can be reported to the Riley Respect & Dignity System.

Mental Health

For trainees: The Department of Mental Health Services at IU School of Medicine is available to provide mental health and personal counseling services to all students, residents and fellows. There are two ways to access services:

  • In an emergency, call 800-909-6105 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A licensed clinical health specialist will provide an assessment and help direct you to appropriate treatment options based on the situation. You may also call on behalf of a trainee if you are a family member, friend or colleague concerned about their well-being. You may call anonymously if desired.
  • To request an appointment with the Department of Mental Health services, send a secure message via their online portal or call 317-278-2383 during normal business hours.

 For IU Employees:

  • IU Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides 24/7/365 access to licensed mental health counselors via SupportLinc or 888-881-LINC (5462) for IU School of Medicine team members and their households.

Upcoming Diversity Events

Apr 17 6:00pm - 7:30pm

Black Maternal Health in Our Community

A panel discussion with IUSM faculty and community members using innovative methods to improve Black maternal health in Indiana

Ruth Lilly Medical Library (IB)

Apr 23 12:00pm - 1:00pm

Program to Launch URiM Success (PLUS) Information Session

Please join us to learn more about the Program to Launch URiM Success (PLUS)program. The PLUS program is a 2-year cohort program structured around two pillars: Leadership and Scholarship.

Online - Zoom

Apr 30 6:00pm

Dissin’ Black Women | Black Women’s Readers Theatre Performance

A love letter to Black women working on college campuses everywhere

Madam Walker Legacy Center

May 02 4:30pm - 6:00pm

IU School of Medicine Spring All School Meeting

IU School of Medicine Dean Jay L. Hess, MD, PhD, MHSA, and the Faculty Steering Committee invite staff, faculty and learners to attend the spring All School Meeting from 4:30–6:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 2.

Joseph E. Walther Hall

May 13 4:00pm - 5:00pm

iDREAM Information Session

Please join us to learn more about the iDREAM (Incentivizing Diverse Recruitment for Equity in Academic Medicine) program. The iDREAM programs aim to enhance representational diversity among the...

Online - Zoom

Committee Leadership

If you have any questions or wish to get involved, please contact us:

20711-Clements, Patrick

Patrick W. Clements, MD

Committee Co-Chair

He/Him/His

Read Bio Patrick W. Clements, MD

52324-LaMotte, Julia

Julia E. LaMotte, PhD, MS

Committee Co-Chair

She/Her/Hers

Read Bio Julia E. LaMotte, PhD, MS

Headshot of Emily Hunt

Emily Hunt

Committee Administrative Support

She/Her/Hers

Email

Committee Members

42160-Almeda, Marco

Marco S. Almeda, MD

PGY 6
Creighton University School of Medicine

He/Him/His

Read Bio Marco S. Almeda, MD

8920-Baker, Richelle

Richelle M. Baker, MD, MS

Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics

She/Her/Hers

Read Bio Richelle M. Baker, MD, MS

Naomi Boone, MSW, LSW

Social Worker

She/Her/Hers

Email

19172-Byrne, Bobbi

Bobbi J. Byrne, MD

Professor of Clinical Pediatrics

She/Her/Hers

Read Bio Bobbi J. Byrne, MD

15157-Christenson, John

John C. Christenson, MD

Professor of Clinical Pediatrics

Read Bio John C. Christenson, MD

20711-Clements, Patrick

Patrick W. Clements, MD

Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics

He/Him/His

Read Bio Patrick W. Clements, MD

Jessica Darling

Jessica Darling

Senior Fellowship Coordinator

She/Her/Hers

Read more

26759-Enane, Leslie

Leslie A. Enane, MD, MSc

Assistant Professor of Pediatrics

She/Her/Hers

Read Bio Leslie A. Enane, MD, MSc

27341-Funches, Levi

Levi Funches, MD, BA

Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics

He/Him/His

Read Bio Levi Funches, MD, BA

Pediatric residency program coordinator Josih Hostetler

Josih Hostetler

Program Coordinator, Pediatric Residency Program

He/Him/His

Email

26923-Huynh, Brittany

Brittany M. Huynh, MD, MPH

PGY 6
Indiana University School of Medicine

Read Bio Brittany M. Huynh, MD, MPH

22819-Jafri, Fatima

Fatima W. Jafri, MD

Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics

Read Bio Fatima W. Jafri, MD

21418-Klitzman, Melissa

Melissa D. Klitzman, MD

Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics

She/Her/Hers

Read Bio Melissa D. Klitzman, MD

52324-LaMotte, Julia

Julia E. LaMotte, PhD, MS

Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics

She/Her/Hers

Read Bio Julia E. LaMotte, PhD, MS

14624-Nabhan, Zeina

Zeina M. Nabhan, MD, MS

Associate Dean of Graduate Medical Education

She/Her/Hers

Read Bio Zeina M. Nabhan, MD, MS

9102-O'Neill, Meagan

Meagan B. O'Neill, MD

Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics

Read Bio Meagan B. O'Neill, MD

10518-Rushton, Jerry

Jerry L. Rushton, MD, MPH

Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics

He/Him/His

Read Bio Jerry L. Rushton, MD, MPH

16927-Shriner, Andrew

Andrew R. Shriner, MD, FAAP

Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics

He/Him/His

Read Bio Andrew R. Shriner, MD, FAAP

2015-Sturm, Lynne

Lynne A. Sturm, PhD, HSPP

Associate Professor Emeritus of Clinical Pediatrics

She/Her/Hers

Read Bio Lynne A. Sturm, PhD, HSPP

15690-Tori, Alvaro

Alvaro J. Tori, MD

Senior Associate Dean for Diversity Affairs

He/Him/His

Read Bio Alvaro J. Tori, MD

21114-Wilson, Shawn

Shawn Wilson, MA, PhD

Assistant Professor of Pediatrics

He/Him/His

Read Bio Shawn Wilson, MA, PhD

the medical library on a sunny, blue-sky day

Land Acknowledgment

IUPUI acknowledges our location on the traditional and ancestral territory of the Miami, Potawatomi and Shawnee people. We honor the heritage of Native peoples, what they teach us about the stewardship of the earth and their continuing efforts today to protect the planet. Founded in 1969, IUPUI stands on the historic homelands of Native peoples and, more recently, that of a vibrant Black community, also displaced. As the present stewards of the land, we honor them all as we live, work and study at IUPUI.

IUPUI Land Acknowlegment