Diversity & Inclusion

In 2017, Adesuwa Akhetuamhen, MD (NUEM '21), and Abiye Ibiebele, MD NUEM '21), developed a cultural competency curriculum. This curriculum utilizes a combination of didactics, community speakers, and case examples to help residents develop the skills and knowledge necessary to provide care in cross-cultural encounters. This curriculum addresses topics such as implicit bias, engaging community leaders and engaging vulnerable patient populations in our department. This course is now formally integrated in the residency conference schedule.

At NUEM we recognize the important role that social determinants of health play in our patients’ well being. We have the great fortune to work in a well-resourced health system that is able to provide high-quality care to all patients who come through our doors to address all aspects of their care. The Fall of 2018 marked the kickoff of the NUEM Social EM Academy, which is a consortium of residents, faculty, APPs, social workers, nurses, pharmacists, and staff. This group is designed to discuss issues affecting many of our patient populations and work to enact change to better the care we provide.

NUEM Women’s Night is an initiative conceived and carried out by our women residents beginning in 2016. Approximately every two months, residents, faculty and alumni gather to develop their skills of negotiating, financial planning and other tactics necessary in today’s healthcare job market, as well as to discuss and problem solve the potential roadblocks that face today’s women physicians. We host speakers from around the Chicago area in a social environment to promote fellowship and support of all members of our residency and departmental family.

McGaw Office of Diversity & Inclusion is committed to fostering a culturally competent and diverse training environment for residents, fellows and students. They support the travel and registration for dozens of faculty and trainees to attend the SNMA Conference. Each year, the Department of Emergency Medicine partners with McGaw to ensure that our faculty and trainees are able to attend.

We partner with a local high school from the southwest part of the city to expose the students to career paths in health care. The students spend a day at Northwestern Memorial Hospital where they tour of the emergency department and simulation center, a career panel (including nursing, pharmacy, ED techs, physical therapy, and physicians) and a presentation on Stop the Bleed.

The Department of Emergency Medicine remains an active partner in improving the lives and outcomes of patients in our community. We are leading an exciting initiative to improve our care of homeless and behavioral health patients. Working with community-based agencies, we are hoping to establish a citywide effort to help our most vulnerable patient populations find the resources they need to live healthy lives.