GI Unit Leadership: Optimizing Endoscopy Operations through Leadership (Virtual) | February 2025-03_Williams_Modeling_inclusive

03_Williams_Modeling_inclusive_behaviors

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Dr. Renee Williams, a professor and advocate for health equity and inclusion at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, focuses on promoting inclusive behaviors and creating safe spaces, particularly in the field of gastroenterology. In her work, Dr. Williams emphasizes understanding and implementing the principles of inclusion and safe spaces, which are essential for fostering a culture of respect and belonging. Inclusion is framed not merely as diversity but as engagement, akin to being asked to dance at a party. A safe space is defined as an environment free of bias, criticism, or threatening ideas.<br /><br />The demographic underrepresentation of groups such as LGBTQIA individuals, women, people with disabilities, and certain racial/ethnic groups in gastroenterology is addressed. This highlights significant gender disparities and a lack of representation across diverse groups in medicine. Dr. Williams underlines that inclusion results in authenticity, improved job performance, reduced employee turnover, and a decrease in sick days.<br /><br />To promote inclusive behavior, Dr. Williams outlines strategies such as recognizing one's own privilege and complexities across differences, advocating for change, learning from mistakes, and understanding the distinction between intent and impact. The LARA framework (Listen, Affirm, Respond, Add) is proposed to nurture productive dialogue and understanding.<br /><br />Creating a safe space involves mutual respect, active listening, psychological safety, acceptance of mistakes for growth, and embracing constructive conflict. A focus on gender, race, and intersectional equity through allyship—acting as collaborators and advocates against injustice—is encouraged.<br /><br />Ultimately, ethical behavior in the workplace necessitates commitment to diversity and equity, recognizing everyone’s dynamic identities, and fostering cultural humility. Dr. Williams quotes James Baldwin to emphasize facing challenges head-on as the first step toward meaningful change.

Keywords

health equity

inclusion

safe spaces

gastroenterology

underrepresentation

diversity

LARA framework

allyship

cultural humility

intersectional equity