Diversity & Inclusion - Division of Infectious Diseases

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statement

Division of Infectious Diseases

Infectious diseases experts help uncover global infections and the burdens these diseases place on vulnerable populations that include women, LGBTQIA communities, along with Black and indigenous people of color (BIPOC). These vulnerable and disenfranchised communities often have disproportionately increased risk of infectious diseases as well as inadequate access to care and prevention services which results in worse health outcomes.

Chronic underfunding of public health and infectious disease services and workforce shortages reduce access to state-of-the-art treatment and care for vulnerable communities in urban and rural areas throughout the world. In many areas, deep institutional racism, and historical approaches to controlling infections that relied on shame and criminalization of persons with infections, exacerbated underlying disparities and propagated unjust and/or inequitable treatment.

Infectious diseases physicians and public health specialists are uniquely positioned to identify systemic inequities and health disparities and propose solutions that address the social determinants of health and dismantle systemic racist structures that result in poor infectious diseases outcomes.

The Division of Infectious Diseases at Washington University School of Medicine puts forth these statements, in alignment with the positions of the Department of Medicine.

We recognize that we as individuals and our Institution are part of the broader structural anti-Black racism that permeates our society. We commit to lead in the fight against racism in our work with our faculty, staff, trainees, and students.

Diversity, equity and access statement

The Division of Infectious Diseases celebrates the many dimensions of diversity in our community that include, but are not limited to, race, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, national origin, ability, religion, and socioeconomic background.

We are committed to forging a diverse, inclusive, safe, and equitable community that reflects the diversity of our region, where everyone feels welcomed, respected, and supported.

Our commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity extends to our policies, practices, and procedures. We are dedicated to best practices in the career development and recruitment of our faculty, staff, and trainees.

We commit to extend our diversity and inclusion efforts to the broader community as we engage with our local, national, and global partners to end health disparities.

Our pledge is in-line with the Department of Medicine’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, equity and access.

Statement on the death of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and many others

The Division of Infectious Diseases condemns all acts of violence against the BIPOC community.

The death of George Floyd represents a small part of a longstanding and larger history of violent oppression and discrimination against Black and Indigenous people in our country.

We recognize that racism is institutional and systemic; that it is an insidious problem occurring explicitly and implicitly.

Therefore, we commit to identify and weed out all forms of racism in our current structures and systems.

We pledge to use our platform to stand with the BIPOC community. We pledge to ensure that these efforts are reflected in everything that we do, as individuals and as a Division, in the name of social justice and equity for the BIPOC community.

Statement on the new interpretation of Section 157 of the Affordable Care Act

The Division of Infectious Diseases affirms its commitment to providing outstanding, inclusive, and equitable care for LGBTQIA people.

We recognize that the LGBTQIA community faces high rates of discrimination and health disparities. These disparities are compounded for transgender people of color who face some of the highest rates of violence, suicide, discrimination, HIV, and homelessness in our society.

Therefore, we pledge to stand with our LGBTQIA community by providing them outstanding care that meets the highest standards of ethics, integrity, and compassion.

We pledge to provide a welcoming, affirming healthcare environment for LGBTQIA people when they come to our hospitals, clinics, and offices.

We pledge to be champions and allies for our LGBTQIA faculty, staff, trainees, and students. We commit to ensuring a welcoming and a safe environment where they can realize their full potential without fear of discrimination or bias.