The University of Colorado OB-GYN Residency Program is committed to celebrating diversity in all forms. Our mission is to foster a welcoming, inclusive program that actively employs strategies to recruit highly qualified residents from underrepresented groups in medicine to The University of Colorado. In addition, we encourage a community that supports and welcomes our residents regardless of race, gender, age, ethnicity, nationality, religious or political beliefs, sexual orientation or gender identity among other characteristics.

The University of Colorado School of Medicine (SOM) shares in its commitment as evidenced by the 2015 Diversity plan which presents the following goals: promote academic advancement and success of minority house officers; break down racial, gender, ethnic stereotypes to promote an inclusive climate; and promote areas of scholarship related to cultural and racial inequalities in health care.

By striving for a diverse residency program, we aim to prepare residents to succeed in navigating the complexities related to health and healthcare disparities in our rapidly changing society.

• Committing to diversity, equity, and inclusion within the department and residency program. 
• Improving the patient experience for gender non-conforming and non-English speaking patients in clinical spaces.
• Increasing and promoting diversity in faculty and resident recruitment and retention.
• Supporting residents and faculty of diverse backgrounds.
• Providing formal education on diversity, inclusion, and implicit bias to faculty and staff.
• Engaging with the community.

One of the University of Colorado’s Department of OB-GYN’s guiding principles is to promote cultural and gender diversity and equal opportunity within our institution. Therefore, the OB-GYN Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Externship Scholarship Program​ was created to provide financial support to fourth-year medical students, who intend to match into an OB-GYN residency program, during the University of Colorado’s Visiting OB-GYN Acting Internship. Students must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and attend an allopathic medical school in the U.S. to be eligible.​ The scholarship awards $2,500 in financial support to be used for travel and housing costs.

For More Information on Upcoming Events, check out our Department of OB-GYN Academic Calendar.

 

Marsha K. Guess, MD, MS

Vice Chair of Faculty Development & Diversity

 

 

Nicki Nguyen, MD

Denver Health Associate Residency Program Director
Sub-Internship Course Director

 

 

Veronica Alaniz, MD, MPH

DEI Committee Faculty Chair Assistant Program Director for Diversity and Inclusion

 

DEI Resident Representatives

 

Adeola Akapo, MD

Senior Chair, PGY4

 

 

Simone Boney, MD

Junior Chair, PGY2

 

 

Cosette Kathawa, MD

PGY4, Class Representative

 

 

Sarah Gebrezghi, MD

PGY3, Class Representative

 

 

Hector (Santi) Porragas, MD

PGY3, Class Representative

 

 

Anindita Varshneya, MD

PGY2, Class Representative

 

 

Kayla Menendez, MD

PGY1, Class Representative