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.


Black History Month 2024 Student Spotlight - February 8, 2024

Get to Know: Makayla Callendar

Feb 8, 2024

Get to Know: Makayla Callendar
Story by Abigail Castro

Makayla Callendar is a first-year Physical Therapy student. Makayla decided to become a physical therapist because she wanted a career in healthcare that allows her to spend a lot of time with patients and facilitate care based on their goals. "PT combines my love of movement and passion for helping people by giving me the skills to help others find freedom moving their bodies in ways that functionally fit their lives and goals," she says.

Makayla was drawn to CUPT by the opportunities it offers for active learning and close collaboration with faculty, as well as its student community whose diverse backgrounds and experiences allow for even more learning opportunities. She appreciates being able to explore multiple different avenues for her career through research, special interests groups and community outreach.

"I have been very privileged to grow up having my main health providers be women of color," Makayla says. "As a result, I was prepared to identify and not accept when I felt uncomfortable, ignored, or discredited by other providers. Those women inspired me to be that for other people. In doing so, my future patients will know that there are people in the field who look like them, will be considerate of the intersection of their identity and health needs, and know they don’t have to settle for bad experiences in healthcare."

Makayla considers Black History Month to be a time of reflection. She often thinks back on how the careers and actions of her own physicians provided her with privileges that they likely did not have. Looking forward, she thinks about what she can do to continue to improve the state of healthcare for current and future patients of color. But she's not waiting until she graduates to try to make a difference. "I am Class President, and I have joined White Coats for Black Lives," she says. "Taking on these roles helps me feel more connected to my program and the campus. But truthfully, it has been initiatives that I have done in my capacity as just a student, like leading a community discussion on race and identity and presenting on the socioeconomic implications of tension alopecia for black women, that have made me feel like I can really make a difference as a future clinician."

Pursuing a career in medicine is not easy, Makayla notes. Though it takes commitment and hard work, she encourages interested people of color to take on the challenge. "Lean on your support systems, learn from your challenges, and celebrate even the smallest of wins," she says. "Most importantly, do not be afraid to advocate for yourself and know that you deserve to be where you are."

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.


Winter Heritage, History and Identity Observances:

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

December 3: International Day of Persons with Disabilities
February: African American/Black History Month
February 16-22: Aromantic Spectrum Awareness Week

Winter Health Awareness:

December: National Safe Toys and Gifts Month
December 1: World AIDS Day
December 2-8: National Handwashing Awareness Week
January: Cervical Health Awareness Month
January: National Birth Defects Prevention Month
January: National Blood Donor Month
January: Glaucoma Awareness Month
January: National Stalking Awareness Month
January: Thyroid Awareness Month
February: Low Vision Awareness Month
February: American Heart Health Month
February: Prenatal Infection Awareness Month
February: National Cancer Prevention Month
February: National Children's Dental Health Month
February: National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month
February 4: World Cancer Day
February 7: Give Kids A Smile Day
February 7: National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
February 7-14: Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week
February 14-21: National Condom Week
February 14: National Donor Day
February 22: National Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day
February 28: Rare Disease Day
February 24-March 2: Eating Disorders Awareness Week

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