Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Diversity in Cardiology

The Division of Cardiology is committed to increasing the recruitment, retention and advancement of faculty, fellows, residents and staff from groups under-represented in health care.

Our intention is to listen to and from the heart. To create a community that encourages participation and connection, and values each individual's unique contributions regardless of socioeconomic status, race, culture, ethnicity, language, nationality, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, spiritual practice, geography, mental and physical status or age.

We hope efforts to improve diversity in our program will help encourage people from diverse backgrounds to enter the field of cardiovascular medicine.

Our Diversity Champions

Recent Diversity focused projects

Building Community for Indigenous Health

Historical trauma often morphs into intergenerational trauma. With indigenous communities suffering from cardiac diseases more than other communities, there is a need for a break in the cycle of systemic racism.

This is what our own cardiologist Jason Deen, MD, (Blackfeet) is hoping to with the Center for Indigenous Health. Deen leads the center as director along with Millie Kennedy, JD, (Tsimshian), tribal liaison with the UW Medicine Office of Healthcare Equity's Indian Health Pathway, in their mission to serve Indigenous students and prospective students. Their hope is to create an ecosystem for Native learners within UW and the UW School of Medicine so they can care for the tribal communities throughout the state and WWAMI. Organically creating a safe space at every stage of these student's lives can create a sense of belonging, and by providing resources and support can ultimately lead to more representation.

"If we want to move the needle, we want to think about overall systemic solutions." - Jason Deen, MD

Deen also plays a strong role at the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association working on policy statements focused on maternal and intergenerational transmission of cardiovascular disease. Though, when he's not writing policy statements, you can find him at Indian health service sites across the nation, or in Washington D.C. talking to the House and Senate.

"We talk to the pediatricians [at the Indian Health service sites], we learn from their successes, about their challenges, and their needs. We'll take those into a report and advocate for legislation that would improve child health, which in theory will improve their cardiovascular health as they age."

These legislations include increasing Medicaid reimbursements, increasing funding for the Indian Health Service, and focusing on attenuating the effects of childhood experiences and toxic stress.

Diversity + Fellowship

Annual Doctor for a Day Session at Africatown for Innovation and Excellence

Cardiology Faculty, Drs. Rosario Freeman and Christine Chung, partnered with fellows, Drs. Chinonso Opara, Betty Ashinne, Ehete Bahiru, Jake Mayfield for the annual Doctor for a Day session at AfricaTown Center for Innovation and Excellence.

Run almost entirely by UW School of Medicine students, Doctor for a Day events are made up of hands‐on stations such as: teaching physical exam skills, patient interviewing techniques, and suturing.

“The purpose of Doctor for a Day is to provide outreach to youth of color in the greater Seattle area. The aim is to inspire and encourage middle school and high school students of color to consider medicine or other healthcare careers.”

Other participants were Dr. Kathleen Berfield, UWMC (thoracic surgeon), Dr. Roland Hernandez (cardiac surgeon, Swedish), incoming Cardiology Fellow, Dr. Seifu Abera, and Stroke Fellow, Dr. Hope Opara.

Additional Resources