Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee

Our Charge

The committee’s main charge is to foster an environment of acceptance and celebration of diversity, and to recruit and support trainees of diverse backgrounds and experiences. Focus includes life in Pittsburgh, networking, mentorship and professional support.

The committee is chaired by Dr. Naudia Jonassaint. Our members include residents and fellows from all levels of training, and attending physicians from multiple divisions within the Department of Medicine.

University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), the University of Pittsburgh Department of Medicine Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (UPDOM ODI), and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine (UPSOM) are highly committed to enhancing and nurturing the culture of diversity and inclusion in Pittsburgh. Several large events, in addition to daily efforts, occur throughout the year, including:

UPMC and UPDOM ODI

MedFam is a mentorship program amongst underrepresented minority (URM) and ally medical students, residents, fellows, and attendings.

Community Day invites the whole community to participate in service projects all around Pittsburgh during the spring.

Juneteenth Celebration with C-ROC and PITT – celebrating the freedom that enslaved people achieved over 150 years ago.

Movie Night In the Park With C-ROC & PITT DOM – A community event co-hosted with the Coalition of Residents and Fellows of Color (C-ROC) in Schenley Park where we enjoy a family-friendly movie and movie theater snacks.

Diversity Book Club is a series that invites everyone University-wide to read engaging and thought-provoking books that are relevant to today’s society, and at least once a year, the author to one of our books is invited to the institution.

Welcome Celebration is a get together for medical students, residents, fellows, and School of Medicine faculty members that occurs at the beginning of the academic school year.

Rainbow Recruitment and Welcome: We aim to introduce prospective medical school students to queer spaces and support at Pitt/UPMC and highlight LGBTQ+ life in Pittsburgh. We also welcome new UPMC trainees an opportunity to connect with our queer community.

LGBTQIA+ Affinity Group: We are a group of residents, fellows and faculty across all UPMC GME within the Pittsburgh Metropolitan area dedicated to improving visibility, comradery, and professional leadership networking within the UPMC LGBTQIA+ community. We host quarterly informal gatherings and participate in queer mentorship within the UPSOM; in the future, we hope to engage in community outreach events.

Underrepresented Minority (URM) Recruitment Brunches welcomes URM candidates that are invited for a residency interview and the brunch is followed by a tour of the beautiful city.

Celebration of Flavors is community-wide event that celebrates Latinx Heritage Month.

Salsa Date Night is community-wide event that celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month.

Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) Night Out invites our community to come out and enjoy an evening at some of Pittsburgh’s exciting attractions.

University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine (UPSOM)

  • Toast to Diversity: Held annually in September, Toast to Diversity is an opportunity for residents, students, and faculty from across the University, Departments, and campuses to network and celebrate.
  • Hispanic Heritage Month Dinner: Hosted by the UPSOM Chapter of the Latino Medical Student Association, this event is held annually to celebrate all Latinx cultures and honoring the contributions of Latinx physicians’ in Pittsburgh.
  • SNMA Physician Roundtable: Our chapter of SNMA annually holds a speed mentoring event for medical students. Residents and Faculty from across the medical school are invited to serve as mentors!
  • Black History Month Banquet: A high note of every February is our Black History Month Banquet, hosted by our chapter of SNMA.

Gastroenterologist and Vice Chair for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the Department of Medicine, Dr. Naudia Jonassaint giving a speech at the most recent Toast to Diversity.

From left to right: Dr. Jaime Stern, Dr. Allison S. DeKosky, Dr. Eloho Ufomata, Dr. Kaleab Abebe, Dr. Jane Liebschutz, Dr. Melissa McNeil, Dr. Utibe Essien, Dr. Esa Davis, and Dr. Alda Maria Gonzaga enjoying their time at Toast to Diversity.

Local organizations which complement our committee’s charge include:

Our residents also have the opportunity to mentor medical students through our relationships with the University of Pittsburgh’s chapters of SNMA and LMSA.

The Gateway Medical Society is an organization whose mission is to promote the healthcare and general welfare of minority and socio-economically challenged populations in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Our local chapter has been working to promote that mission for the past 50 years here in Pittsburgh! Students, residents, and faculty in our program are encouraged to join and participate in this organization. For more information on the Gateway Medical Society, click here.

Pride Health is an organization, promoted by the Office of Health Diversity within the University of Pittsburgh and UPMC, whose mission is to serve students, faculty, staff, residents, fellows, and providers in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex community. They foster social and professional connections among the LGBTQI community, in addition to providing advocacy, education, and awareness among the health sciences community.

If you are interested in more information on the Diversity and Inclusion Committee, then please contact Dr. Rickquel Tripp, Vice Chair of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion for UPMC Medical Education at tripprp@upmc.edu.