Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
“Furthering our legacy of equity. To be a safe, inclusive, and just institution of medicine, science, and education that attracts, supports, and promotes people and voices from historically marginalized groups, actively counters exclusionary and oppressive systems, and centers our diverse Bronx community and beyond as we pursue responsive science and health equity.”
—Office of Diversity and Inclusion Vision, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Embracing Diversity & Inclusion
The Montefiore Einstein Neuroscience Center prioritizes fostering an inclusive environment for students, trainees, faculty and support staff from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
We embrace diversity and take pride in serving one of the most diverse patient populations in the country. We achieve this with ongoing department education, reflection, and connection to deepen our understanding as practicing clinicians, researchers, and partners with our patients and community.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Committee
Our DEI Committee includes representation from faculty, staff, trainees and physician assistants. With feedback from stakeholders from outside the department, the team works to fulfill the mission of a platform that:
- Strives to improve the lives of those we serve through clinical neurology that is sensitive to race, culture, faith, self-identity and standing
- Contributes to the national and international efforts to diminish racial disparities related to neurological disorders through research
- Attracts, retains, and promotes diversity in the workplace, while growing the current and future generation of medical professionals to build on a vision of greater health equity.
Programming & Events
Our committee has initiated a series of DEI town halls and wellness workshops for house staff and faculty. We have also incorporated a series of DEI-focused speakers into the Neurology Grand Rounds schedule to highlight social, systemic, and healthcare topics to complement our neurology academic program.
Our new NeuroDEI book club, “Central Nucleus,” meets throughout the year and covers topics such as cultural discrimination, xenophobia and systemic racism in the medical system, and how to begin the work of becoming an ally for both colleagues and your community.
Scholarship & Advocacy
Our Neuroscience program includes over 30 NIH-funded active research protocols and many other active studies involving epilepsy, headache, neuro-oncology, stroke, dementia, movement disorders, and other areas.
Many of our faculty members and academic divisions feature scholarly work focusing on the influence of patient backgrounds on neurological disease.
Our Neurology DEI committee aims to promote the success of ongoing and future clinical trials, focusing on the efficiency of clinical study setup, implementation, recruitment, and retention.
Faculty members also participate in local and national advocacy initiatives in the American Academy of Neurology and many subspecialty societies to ensure that patients from all backgrounds with neurological disorders receive the care they deserve.
Our program and faculty were featured in the Tour 4 Diversity panel on the “Road to Neurology Residency.”
Community Outreach
We partner with many institution-wide initiatives to connect to our diverse communities and to understand the influence of sociodemographic factors in clinical care and research. Our partners include the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and the Montefiore Office of Community & Population Health, as well as additional partners in the clinical neurosciences. Additionally, we strive to work alongside our institution's initiatives as a leader in LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality, complimenting the institution's education and cultural awareness initiatives in our department.