2023 ACMG Annual Clinical Genetics Meeting Digital Edition: Poster Gallery-Are We Doing Enough: The Successes and Challenges of Developing a DEI Committee

Pdf Summary

The Baylor College of Medicine Division of Genetic Counseling established a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee to promote diversity among its faculty, staff, and students. The committee implemented initiatives such as incorporating DEI into recruitment practices, providing supervisor training, offering mentorship to students and faculty, and developing faculty leadership. The Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling will release updated standards for genetic counseling program accreditation based on the recommendations of the ACGC DEIJ Task Force and public comment.<br /><br />The DEI committee aims to assess the division's culture needs, address those needs, increase awareness of the committee to new employees and outside departments, and measure its impact. They plan to build a common understanding of DEI and justice, encourage community outreach and personal growth in the DEI space, and provide annual reports on DEI-related recommendations and efforts. The committee also developed a DEI newsletter, supervision resources, organized the first annual educational event, and created social activities and workgroups to increase member participation.<br /><br />The development and maintenance of the DEI committee faced challenges such as lack of funding, volunteer fatigue, and DEI fatigue/disengagement. To address these challenges, they discussed needs with department leadership, utilized existing resources and institutional efforts, created workgroups, invited student input, and recruited new members. They also created a quick read newsletter, established committee terms for turnover, and planned to add an external committee member.<br /><br />Overall, the DEI Committee at Baylor College of Medicine Division of Genetic Counseling has made achievements in promoting diversity and inclusion, but ongoing efforts are needed to address challenges and ensure sustained engagement and impact.

Asset Subtitle

Co-Author - Tanya Eble, MS, CGC; Co-Author - Jessica T. Honkomp, MS; Co-Author - Stacey D. Edwards, MS, LCGC; Presenting Author - Salma Nassef, MS, CGC; Co-Author - Tasha Winfree, AS in Health Administration; Co-Author - Daniel Riconda, MS;

Meta Tag

Education

Ethical Legal and Social Issues

Policy Issues

Co-Author Tanya Eble, MS, CGC

Co-Author Jessica T. Honkomp, MS

Co-Author Stacey D. Edwards, MS, LCGC

Co-Author Tasha Winfree, AS in Health Administration

Co-Author Daniel Riconda, MS

Presenting Author Salma Nassef, MS, CGC

Keywords

Baylor College of Medicine

Genetic Counseling

Diversity

Inclusion

DEI Committee

Recruitment Practices

Mentorship

Faculty Leadership

Genetic Counseling Program Accreditation

Challenges