Chair: Travis Lee Reece-Nguyen, MD
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Vice Chair: Odinakachukwu Ehie, MD
The Society for Pediatric Anesthesia DEI committee, advocates for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts within the Society. It informs the board, its committees and sections about issues related to diversity and inclusion, and promotes equitable leadership to support SPA mission.
DEI Mission Statement
To foster a culture that recognizes and values diversity and inclusion by encouraging and supporting the participation, growth, and advancement of all members of our society and is cognizant of the diverse population of children and families for whom we care.
Leadership
Education Subcommittee Chair: Tomas Lazo, MD
Communications Subcommittee Chair: Bishr Haydar, MD
Quality Improvement Subcommittee Chair: Daniel J. Goldstein
Research Subcommittee Chair: Annery Garcia-Marcinkiewiccz MD
COPPA representative: TBD
Since the creation of the DEI committee in the Spring of 2018, we have grown from 12 to 35 members. Our membership includes individuals from all four geographical areas in the U.S, from academic and private practice, diverse racial/ethnic and gender backgrounds. We are looking for international SPA members as well as trainees. This is an open committee and all are welcome to join.
We developed an organizational structure that promotes parallel work in small working groups under Sub-committee Heads, and facilitates participation of all committee members.
We are promoting diversity equity and inclusion at SPA leadership level, by representing our committee at Board meetings (DEI committee Chair, Ex-officio), and at the Education, Communications, Quality Improvement, Research and External Affairs committees (by each of the Heads of our DEI sub-Committees).
We developed, implemented and are now analyzing a survey to assess Diversity Equity and Inclusion within SPA membership and leadership. We had a strong response. We heard from 1200 SPA members. THANK YOU for participating. We will share the results of the survey in the Spring of 2021. Your responses are informing our work moving forward.
We are currently working with other committees on specific programs to promote diversity equity and inclusion in pediatric anesthesia education at the fellowship and membership levels; quality and improvement initiatives to support equitable patient care approaches, research in vulnerable populations, and support activities to promote career development in academic and private practice.
