Climate & Culture reports now available

Thanks to your participation, the Task Force has completed the first phase of this work. Today, we are pleased to share two reports that detail the results of the Task Force’s work. Our goal is to improve and sustain a culture where everyone is safe, supported and welcome.

Toward progress: Reflections and gratitude from the Task Force

As we complete our report to release next month, our Task Force leadership — Benjamin Garcia, PhD, Dineo Khabele MD, and Renée Shellhaas, MD — would like to take a moment to reflect on our experiences during the past year.

Update from your Task Force members: Why this work matters

We’d like to share input on why this work matters from Task Force members Rakhee Bhayani, MD, and Lisa Tabor Connor, PhD, MSOT, OTR/L. In addition, we share an opportunity for our community to provide feedback on the proposed new framework for naming and renaming university buildings, professorships, and other features.

Perspectives from our Task Force members

Throughout the fall, the Task Force is continuing our work to distill your input and shape recommendations to improve and sustain a culture of safety and inclusion. We’d also like to take this time to introduce you to some of the Task Force members who have devoted valuable time and insight throughout this process. This month we’re sharing a brief Q&A with our student representatives.

You can still share your input

As summer winds down and we prepare for the entering class of 2023 to join our community, the Task Force on Climate & Culture is reminded of how crucial it is for all of our faculty, staff, students and trainees to be welcomed, safe and valued on campus.

Survey now closed: Thank you – and next steps!

Thank you for sharing your feedback! Your experiences, perspectives and opinions will help inform our efforts to create a more inclusive environment. Now that the focus groups, community discussions and survey have ended, we want to let you know of our next steps.

Survey now open – please share your input

This survey is a critical part of the Task Force’s efforts to identify what aspects of the WashU Medicine culture are strong and where we need to focus our efforts for improvement. Our aim is to improve and then sustain a culture of safety and inclusion here. Your input in this survey will help move us closer to where we all need and want to be.

Schoolwide survey to be sent in June

In early June, all faculty, staff, students and trainees at the School of Medicine will receive a survey thattake about 15 minutes to complete. Your response will help us see where the WashU Medicine culture is strong and where we need to focus our efforts for improvement.

Catalyst kickoff, community discussion sessions

The formal kickoff with Catalyst, an external consulting group, begins this month with data gathering, interviews, and access to the Catalyst Supporter Network for School of Medicine faculty, staff, students and trainees. In addition, Community Discussion Sessions are now underway.

Consulting group selection and listening sessions for students and postdocs

There are two key areas of progress to report this month. The first is the selection of an external consulting group named Catalyst, that will provide expert guidance to the Task Force. Additionally, the Task Force has established a series of listening sessions that will be led by the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.