About the CU PM&R Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee

 

Welcome to the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion webpage for the Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.

 

CU PM&R is committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of our clinical, academic, and service work. We recognize that diversity encompasses differences in race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, and political beliefs.

 

In alignment with the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation's (AAPM&R) Diversity and Inclusion Statement, we strive to create a culture that is inclusive and respectful of all individuals, where all members feel valued, respected, and supported. This includes not just promoting diversity but also actively working to eliminate discrimination, bias, and disparities in our department.

 

Our department also follows the University of Colorado School of Medicine Diversity Plan, which aims to increase the diversity of the medical student body, faculty, and staff, and to foster an inclusive environment where all members feel respected and valued.

 

Our CU PM&R Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee is dedicated to implementing these goals through:

  • Supporting DEI initiatives at PM&R to promote more inclusivity within the department.
  • Advancing DEI at PM&R by highlighting ongoing education and training opportunities, or sponsoring educational programs to promote diversity.
  • Advising PM&R leadership concerning inclusive employee and trainee recruitment, hiring, retention, and promotion efforts within our department.

 

Collectively, we will strive to ensure that our patients receive culturally appropriate, quality medical care. Together, we can create a more inclusive and equitable environment for our patients, faculty, and staff.

Members of Committee:

  • Michael Harris-Love, PT, MPT, DSc, FGSA, FAPTA (Chair)
  • Zachary Arcona, PsyD
  • Catharine Johnston-Brooks, PhD
  • Alison Colbert, PhD
  • David Coons, MD
  • Scott Laker, MD
  • Adele Meron, MD
  • William Niehaus, MD
  • Zachary Noriega, MPA

The committee is aided by the consultation of our Advisory Group, Krista Walker, PhD (DEI training consultation), and Olawunmi Ogunwo, JD, PHR (HR/legal consultation).

 

Aspire Banner

PM&R and the ASPIRE Challenge: The National Alliance for Inclusive & Diverse STEM Staff

The INCLUDES project (Inclusion across the Nation of Communities of Learners of Underrepresented Discoverers in Engineering and Science) is an NSF-funded initiative to promote the recruitment, hiring, and retention of STEM faculty from underrepresented groups.

The INCLUDES project has recently evolved into an alliance called, “Aspire: The National Alliance for Inclusive & Diverse STEM Faculty”. The NSF INCLUDES Aspire Alliance is broadly pursuing strategic goals focused on faculty:

 

  • Preparation of STEM faculty to be more inclusive and effective in their teaching, research mentoring, and advising
  • Effectively recruiting, hiring, and retaining underrepresented STEM faculty and transforming practices
  • Developing and supporting policies, and resources to support these efforts

The Aspire Alliance program assessment process aims to deepen our understanding about the strategies and conditions that support increasing inclusivity and diversity in STEM departments and programs (which includes medicine). The PM&R DEI Committee has recommended that our department engage in the Aspire Alliance program assessment process.


Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month 2024 Student Spotlight - May 15, 2024

Get to Know: Bea Oliva

May 15, 2024

Get to Know: Bea Oliva

Story by: Abigail Castro

Bea Oliva is a second-year Physical Therapy student. Bea’s path to choose a career in physical therapy was shaped by a combination of upbringing, personal interests, and cultural heritage. Growing up, Bea was exposed to physical therapy at an early age because her parents are physical therapists. As a child, Bea found herself immersed in the rehabilitation environment, often playing in the gym where her parents worked. Bea was inspired by seeing her parents' guide people through their healing journeys, teaching them how to walk again, and witnessing their progress firsthand. Additionally, Bea’s own involvement in competitive powerlifting solidified her desire to pursue a career in physical therapy. The strength and resilience they cultivated in the sport fueled their passion to empower others to achieve similar feats of strength and endurance.

When it came time to choose a path for her education, the Physical Therapy program at CU Anschutz stood out as the perfect fit for her aspirations. Bea chose to attend CU due to their commitment to embracing diversity and individuality. Bea appreciates that CU encourages students to explore diverse interests and backgrounds, fostering a well-rounded learning experience that extends beyond their curriculum. Bea’s motivation stems from the lessons learned in her powerlifting community - the importance of committing yourself to achieving your goals. She believes that by persevering through the challenges presented by the program, she can enhance her academic knowledge and develop the interpersonal skills necessary to connect with patients deeper.

May is a month to celebrate the resilience and heritage of Asian cultures. For Bea, this month holds special significance as it serves as a reminder of the sacrifices her parents made in pursuit of a better life. Bea's parents immigrated to the United States at 25, epitomizing resilience and courage in forging a new life and brighter future for their family. Bea aspires to carry on her parents' legacy of hard work and perseverance as she embarks on her own career in physical therapy. Bea has words of encouragement for students of color pursuing careers in healthcare, “You are needed to promote systematic and cultural change for future generations! Remember that you are reflecting the dreams of our ancestors who are living through you as you pursue this career!”


Black History Month 2024 Resident Spotlight

Get to know Dr. Adedayo Balogun

Zachary Noriega, MPA | Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation/CU School of Medicine Feb 1, 2024
Photo of Dr. Balogun.

Get to Know: Dr. Adedayo Balogun

What made you want to pursue a career in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation? 
As a medical student, I had a wide and varied interest in all of my different clinical rotations. I had a strong interest in the musculoskeletal system, and the neurological and neuroanatomy courses. When I was exposed to a PM&R rotation, it was the first rotation that I felt completely in tune with the physicians that were present. It helped address all of the most important aspects of a person’s healthcare, and took into account all aspects of a person’s experience when taking part in their care.  

How has the CU PM&R residency program allowed you to pursue your goals? 
This residency program has so far allowed me to cultivate my experience and independence in different rehabilitation settings and learn how to navigate the different barriers and challenges that patients face routinely. I've been exposed to many different versions of being a PM&R physician, and I have had the ability to explore these different areas in a way that I can prepare myself for life after residency.

What is your “why”? 
My “why” is always to bring the best care to as many people that I can first and foremost. I want to be able to deliver that same care to people that have historically been overlooked, and taken advantage of as well. I aspire to provide patients that may not always feel seen or heard to understand that I’m taking their concerns to heart, and I understand the perspective that many of their other care providers may not. I also strive to be a positive example for others who may look like me or identify with me. I want to be more than an example, but a support system for those coming after me.  

February is a month to honor and celebrate Black leaders. What does this mean for you? 
Black History Month is an opportunity to take a step back and reflect on the ways that black people have contributed to the world. We have been leaders for change and equity, leaders in science, health care, ingenuity and all aspects of life. Being a leader, to me is about being accountable. I think that having priorities, morals, and standards, and holding strong to those values is all that it takes to be a leader.  

What leadership role(s) have you taken up and what impact have they had on you and your time in medical school or residency? As a medical student I took part in my school's Student National Medical Association (SNMA) chapter. As president of this chapter, we had a hand in reaching out to the community for other people to understand that becoming a physician was attainable, finishing school and going to the college opened plenty of doors, and providing support and guidance for undergraduate students that had an interest in going to medical school.  

Being a physician inherently occupies a leadership role. As a physiatrist, we regularly take part in team meetings, where we discuss patients with PT’s, OT’s, RN’s, social workers, case managers, and speech therapists. Sometimes, being a leader is understanding how the team functions most effectively, other times it’s trusting your teammates to their expertise and simply providing an overall team goal for everyone to strive towards.  

What words of encouragement do you have to share with future students of color pursuing careers in healthcare?
The words of encouragement that I have for those students would be to always show up and be yourself. You have a unique experience and perspective that matters, and never let fear of failure keep you from trying something that you are passionate about. Do your best to surround yourself with people that you admire and have similar goals as yourself. Not competitors, but people who will lift you up with them. These are the people that you’ll grow the closest to both professionally and personally.


Fall Heritage, History and Identity Observances:

Learn more about holidays, heritage, history, and identity observances, and corresponding events throughout the year.

September 15-October 15: National Hispanic-Latino Heritage Month
September 16-23: Bisexual Awareness Week
October: National Disability Employment Awareness Month
October: National Italian-American Heritage Month
October: Filipino-American History Month
October: Polish-American History Month
October: LGBT History Month
October 11: National Coming Out Day
October 16: Pronouns Day
October 20-26: Asexual/Ace Week
October 26: Intersex Awareness Day
November: National American Indian/Alaska Native Heritage Month
November: Black Catholic History Month
November 3: Transgender Parent Day
November 8: Intersex Day of Solidarity
November 13-19: Transgender Awareness Week
November 20: Transgender Day of Remembrance

Fall Health Awareness:

September: National Suicide Prevention Month
September: Blood Cancer Awareness Month
September: Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
September: Healthy Aging Month
September: National Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month
September: National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month
September: National Cholesterol Education Month
September: National Food Safety Education Month
September: National ITP Awareness Month
September: National Head Lice Prevention Month
September: National Recovery Month
September: National Sickle Cell Awareness Month
September: Newborn Screening Awareness Month
September: Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
September: Pain Awareness Month
September: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Month
September: Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
September: Sepsis Awareness Month
September: Sexual Health Awareness Month
September: World Alzheimer's Month
September 8-14: National Folic Acid Awareness Week
September 10: World Suicide Prevention Day
September 13: National Celiac Disease Awareness Day
September 18: National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day
September 28: World Rabies Day
September 29: World Heart Day
October: Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October: Domestic Violence Awareness Month
October: Eye Injury Prevention Month
October: Health Literacy Month
October: Healthy Lung Month
October: Home Eye Safety Month
October: Medical Ultrasound Awareness Month
October: National ADHD Awareness Month
October: National Bullying Prevention Month
October: National Dental Hygiene Month
October: National Down Syndrome Awareness Month
October: National Physical Therapy Month
October: Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month
October: Prenatal-Onset GBS Disease Recognition Month
October: Spina Bifida Awareness Month
October: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Awareness Month
October 6: World Cerebral Palsy Day
October 6-12: Mental Illness Awareness Week
October 7: Trigeminal Neuralgia Awareness Day
October 10: World Mental Health Day
October 10: World Sight Day
October 12: World Arthritis Day
October 12-20: Bone and Joint Health National Action Week
October 13: Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day
October 14-20: International Infection Prevention Week
October 15: Global Handwashing Day
October 15: National Latinx AIDS Awareness Day
October 16: World Food Day
October 16-20: National Health Education Week
October 18: National Mammography Day
October 19: World Pediatric Bone and Joint Day
October 20-26: National Healthcare Quality WeekOctober 20-26: Respiratory Care Week
October 22: International Stuttering Awareness Day
October 29: World Psoriasis Day
November: American Diabetes Month
November: Bladder Health Month
November: National COPD Awareness Month
November: Diabetic Eye Disease Month
November: Lung Cancer Awareness Month
November: National Epilepsy Awareness Month
November: National Healthy Skin Month
November: National Hospice and Palliative Care Month
November: National Stomach Cancer Awareness Month
November: Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month
November: Prematurity Awareness Month
November 1: National Brush Day
November 12: World Pneumonia Day
November 17: World Prematurity Day
November 19-25: GERD Awareness Week
November 21: Great American Smokeout
November 23: International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day
November 28: National Family Health History Day

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