Resident Led JEDAI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, Advocacy and Inclusion) Committee

Our residents lead several initiatives that focus on justice, equity, diversity, advocacy and inclusion in our clinic and local community. If you have an idea or a project you want to start, our program will fully support you! In Colorado we believe it is essential for doctors to use their power and privilege to be change-makers. Check out what our residents and faculty have been up to!

What we are currently developing

• Project with public health to develop a Southwest Denver Community Advisory Group to help our clinic have patient and community representation in the work we are doing.
• Partnership with Re:Vision and Ruby Hill Park Community Garden - Denver Urban Gardens to identify more ways for our residency and clinic to get involved in the local community. Our goal is to work with Re:Vision, Ruby Hill Garden, and our Clinic Community Navigators to build community gardens for our patients so they can engage in culturally appropriate classes and education around healthy foods.

Past and current projects

Social Determinants of Health Screening- We received a NMPRA grant and developed a new social determinants of health screening tool to make sure we connected our patients with the resources they need to thrive. Our residents learn very early about the upstream factors that influence health and we are working together to take action to make sure we provide care for the whole patient, not just their medical conditions.

Annual Back to School Drive – Each year residents work with community organizations to gather school supplies and clothes and create a back to school shopping experience for the pediatric patients in our clinic.

Produce Prescription Program – Started by Dr. Amy Beeson (’21) who received an AAP CATCH grant for this work. The project is now led by Drs. Sutton Higgins and Erika Becerra. Residents identify pediatric patients with obesity and provide the family with a “prescription” and a gift card that can be used to obtain fresh foods and vegetables. The program is a partnership with a local grocery store across from our continuity clinic.

Adopt a Refugee Family Christmas Event – The Denver Health Foundation identifies refugee families that have recently arrived in the United States. Residents adopt 2-3 families per year and reach out to the community to raise the funds to buy each member gifts and organize gift wrapping and delivery events.

Gun Violence Prevention – Led by Dr. Lynne Rosenberg. Guests from GRASP (Gang Rescue and Support Project) come and provide education and training to our residents. We are working to create a referral process for teens that are connected with gangs who seek help. We are also working on a project to distribute gun locks in clinic.

Human Rights Center - In partnership with the Denver Health Human Rights Center, Med-Peds residents review medical records of ICE detainees to compose humanitarian release letters on their behalf. Further, they have the opportunity to received training and participate in physical examinations and affidavit writing for asylum seekers

Voter registration Drive – Partnership with Vo+ER to facilitate voter registration process for patients during their clinic visit.

Volunteer Activities: Wish for Wheels, Annual Clinic Christmas party, Vietnamese dinner for the homeless.

Other activities: book club, movie night, advocacy watch updates, and many more.