We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of George Floyd. In a community already grieving Ahmaud Arbery, killed in our own state of Georgia, George Floyd’s death has elevated an already unspeakable pain. These racist actions are reprehensible and have no place in our society. Likewise, the School of Medicine will not tolerate expressions of racist attitudes or behaviors. We believe strongly in the right to free speech and peaceful protest and the importance of open discourse in a safe space.
COVID-19 has highlighted the existing health disparities in our community, with African Americans more likely to become infected by COVID-19 and dying from the disease at disproportionate rates. The events of the past few weeks are a stark reminder of yet another threat to the safety of the African American community, and we must commit to fighting this threat with the same energy that we have focused on the global pandemic.
If you have innovative ideas to effect change in this area, we encourage you to reach out to a member of our school-wide Faculty/Staff Working Group on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion—the members are listed below.
Let us stand together against prejudice and violence that deeply hurts the fabric of our community, and continue to support each other during these difficult times.
School of Medicine Faculty/Staff Working Group on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
- Valerie Biousse, MD, Vice Chair for Faculty Development, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Department of Ophthalmology
- Jada Bussey-Jones, MD, Vice Chair of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Department of Medicine
- Farah Chapes, CPA, Chief Operating Officer, SOM
- Cynthia Derdeyn, PhD, Vice Chair for Diversity, Equity, and Wellness, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
- Kathryn Glas, MD, MBA, Vice Chair of Professional Development, Leadership, and Diversity, Department of Anesthesiology
- David Goetsch, PHR, CAAP, Assistant Director, Faculty Recruitment, EU Office of Equity and Inclusion
- Nadine Kaslow, MD, Vice Chair for Faculty Development, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
- Jen King, Director of Communications, SOM
- Matt Kroll, Administrator, Departments of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, and Pharmacology and Chemical Biology
- Loren Krueger, MD, Chair, Department of Dermatology Diversity & Inclusion Committee
- Michelle Lall, MD, Director of Wellness, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Department of Emergency Medicine
- Kimberly Manning, MD, Associate Vice Chair of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Department of Medicine
- Maurice Middleton, Senior Director, EU Office of Equity and Inclusion
- Gina Northington, MD, PhD, Chair, Gyn-OB Committee on Diversity and Inclusion
- Cliff Teague, Executive Administrator, Human Resources, SOM
- Michelle Wallace, MD, Chair, Department of Pediatrics Diversity & Inclusion Committee
- Derek West, MD, MS, Co-Chair, Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee