Announced December 16, 2022
We recognize that diversity, equity and inclusion not only hold intrinsic value, but also enhance our excellence. As individuals and collectively, we are at our best in an environment where everyone is welcomed, valued and celebrated as their most authentic selves. At the same time, we are aware of and concerned about elements of the culture here at Washington University School of Medicine that can lead to a negative climate for women, people of color and other vulnerable and marginalized members of our community
To address those concerns fully, with transparency and accountability, the Washington University School of Medicine Executive Faculty voted unanimously in December 2022 to convene the Task Force on Climate and Culture. This task force was charged with identifying underlying aspects of the culture that can lead to a negative climate.
The Executive Faculty Task Force on Climate and Culture completed its work in December 2023 with the release of two reports: one from Catalyst, a consulting group with expertise in workplace inclusion, and the second from the Executive Faculty Task Force itself.
Jump to a section below for more about the Executive Faculty Task Force on Climate and Culture:
Objectives
As a Task Force, we will develop a report that documents areas for improvement and proposes action items to enhance our culture. This work will focus specifically on the challenges that are particular to our medical school academic environment, with the following charges:
- Gather data and assess the current state of resources for addressing and preventing sexual harassment and gender discrimination among faculty, students and trainees.
- Develop recommendations for improving faculty and learner education and training regarding sexual harassment and gender discrimination. This will include raising awareness of existing policies; clarifying reporting obligations and channels; improving training on bystander intervention; and recommendations regarding how best to address problematic behavior and its impact on others.
- Develop recommendations for improving the reporting process and ensuring accountability in instances of sexual harassment, gender discrimination, and misconduct.
- Develop recommendations for improving overall workplace culture at the School of Medicine to ensure that all members of our community are safe and supported in their work and studies.
Members
The Executive Faculty Task Force on Climate and Culture originates at the highest levels of leadership and is fully supported by Washington University and the School of Medicine. Membership is broadly inclusive, with representatives from faculty, house staff, and students.
Co-Chairs
Benjamin A. Garcia, PhD
Raymond H. Wittcoff Distinguished Professor and head of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics
Dineo Khabele, MD
Mitchell & Elaine Yanow Professor and head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Administrative Director
Renée Shellhaas, MD, MS
Associate dean for faculty promotions and career development and David T. Blasingame Professor of Neurology
Support: Kaitlyn Hamilton
Executive assistant to associate dean for faculty promotions and career development
Student representatives
- Doctoral degree programs:
Jennifer Lawrence, PhD candidate - Postdoctoral programs:
Aishwarya Rajesh, PhD, postdoctoral research associate, Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Department of Radiology - Medical degree program:
Christina Su, MD candidate
House staff representative
- Kai Jones, MD, clinical fellow, Department of Medicine (SAFE Committee)
DEI Liaison representative
- Rosie Jones, MPPA, senior project manager, Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences
Physical Therapy & Occupational Therapy representative
- Lisa Tabor Connor, PhD, MSOT, OTR/L, associate dean and director of the Program in Occupational Therapy, Elias Michael Professor of Occupational Therapy, professor of neurology
Hospital representative
- Shaina Eckhouse, MD, associate professor of surgery
Faculty representatives
- Professor, clinical department (also AWN/FWIMS):
Rakhee Bhayani, MD, professor of medicine - Professor, preclinical department:
Kendall Blumer, PhD, professor of cell biology and physiology - Assistant professor, preclinical department:
Kilannin Krysiak, PhD, assistant professor of pathology and immunology - Professor, clinical department:
Barbara Warner, MD, professor of pediatrics; chief, Division of Newborn Medicine, F. Sessions Cole, MD, Chair in Newborn Medicine - Executive Committee of the Faculty Council:
Gregory Wu, MD, PhD, associate professor of neurology and of pathology and immunology
Additional contributors
Community discussion facilitators
The Task Force would like to thank the following individuals for their time, expertise and attention in planning, facilitating and summarizing the community discussion sessions. The sessions were facilitated using a restorative justice approach to acknowledge harm and support healing. Facilitators include staff of the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, as well as members of the volunteer Restorative Justice in Academic Medicine team and Equity Champions program.
- Joel Dalton
Program Manager, Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion - Erin Herrera, CRNA
Associate Vice Chair for Well-Being and Assistant Director for CRNA Activities, Department of Anesthesiology - Sha Niece Hinton, MSW
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Engagement Coordinator, Department of Orthopedics - Rosie Jones
Senior Project Manager, Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences - Julian Magee, PT, DPT, ATC
Assistant Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Assistant Professor, Program in Physical Therapy
Assistant Professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery - Maithilee Menezes, MD
Associate Professor and Officer of Diversity & Inclusion, Department of Otolaryngology - Peter S. Myers, PhD
Program Manager, Office of Postdoctoral Affairs - Neha Navsaria, PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry - Andrea Nelson, MBA
Director of HR Organization Development, Office of Human Resources - Jeramia Ory, PhD
DEI Education Specialist, Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion - Joseph Pangelinan, MA, PhD
Director of Cultural Awareness and Diversity and Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine - Kaytlin Reedy-Rogier, MSW
Director of Health Equity and Justice, Department of Medicine - Erin Stampp
Director of Programming and Professional Development, Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion - Lisa Stevenson, MBA
Assistant Dean for Student Diversity and Engagement, Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion - Nannette Vaughn
Senior Human Resources Consultant, Office of Human Resources - The Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion team
Timeline
MARCH 2023
• Data Review
• Community Discussion Sessions
APRIL 2023
• External Consultant Launch Session
APRIL – MAY 2023
• 1:1 Leader Interviews
• Focus Groups
• Community Discussion Sessio
JUNE 2023
• Catalyst Inclusion Accelerator Survey
AUGUST 2023
• External consultant to report findings to Task Force
AUG – SEPT 2023
• Consultant and Task Force Strategy Meetings
SEPT – DEC 2023
• Task Force to Complete Report