Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)
At Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center, we are committed to open and equal cancer care for all people, as well as to building and sustaining an environment in which physicians, faculty, staff, and trainees understand and embrace:
- Diversity – individual differences based on national origin, language, race, color, disability, gender identity, age, ethnicity, religion, socio-economic status, sexual expression, education, veteran status and family structures
- Equity – equal access to opportunities
- Inclusiveness – fostering a sense of belonging and respect
Embracing these core values in creating a diverse workforce, training a new generation of cancer scientists and physicians, delivering clinical care and promoting the priorities of underrepresented groups is crucial to eliminating inequities in population health.
Our workforce engages in innovative research and continually works to optimize the efficacy and affordability of cancer care delivery for each member of the communities we serve. Our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) initiative demonstrates our commitment to this goal. DEI informs all aspects of our clinical care delivery, community outreach and engagement programs, research, education and training and more.
Montefiore and Einstein has a deep history of championing DEI issues. Through this foundation, we work continuously to develop and foster DEI. Under the guidance of DEI leadership and through our DEI committee and community liaisons, we continually monitor and evaluate our progress. Our overarching goal is to ensure that everyone who works at or interacts with our Cancer Center feels valued.
Diversity at our Cancer Center
We are proud to employ people from a variety of racial/ethnic, sexual orientation, gender expression, socioeconomic, and geographic backgrounds.
Read about the diversity of our current staff, researchers and faculty.
Research & Education
The New York region and our local communities are home to some of the most ethnically diverse populations in the country. There are unique opportunities within New York and our catchment area to reach and serve diverse patient populations. We are also studying how to understand various social determinants of health present in the communities we serve that affect access to care.
Our DEI initiatives in areas of research and education include:
- A quarterly roundtable on DEI and health equity
- DEI as it relates to clinical trials
- Research opportunities around and including DEI
- Leadership and mentoring opportunities across the Cancer Center
- Professional development, training, and mentorship opportunities for underrepresented groups in the Cancer Center Workforce
DEI Leadership
Leadership for DEI at Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center sets a tone and intention that reinforces our organization’s mission of DEI and is powerfully felt at every level of our cancer enterprise.
Associate Director of DEI
Dr. Sosa directs initiatives to enhance diversity, equity and inclusivity throughout the Cancer Center. She works closely with members of the DEI Committee and leadership in such areas as Community Outreach and Engagement, Cancer Research Training and Education, Cancer Epidemiology, Prevention & Control Program, and Clinical Affairs. Collaboration occurs with Montefiore Einstein’s Human Resources DEI Division, the Office of Community and Population Health, and Einstein’s Office of the Senior Associate Dean for Diversity and Inclusion. Dr. Sosa also works in multiple ways to encourage and increase participation among people from underrepresented groups throughout the Cancer Center.
Assistant Director of DEI
In addition to serving as MECCC Assistant Director of DEI, Dr. San Martin is the Vice-Chair of the MECCC DEI Committee. She is an Assistant Professor of Cell Biology and Oncology and a member of MECCC’s Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis Research Program.
Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center Director
Since becoming director of the Cancer Center in 2020, Dr. Chu has made significant changes to who is at the helm, including the formation of the most diverse senior leadership group since we received National Cancer Institute (NCI) designation in 1972.
