Work together to make diversity in GI the ‘norm’ not an exception
This month’s cover story celebrates the changing landscape of the practice of gastroenterology and highlights many of the exceptional voices spearheading this charge. The article makes a powerful case that a diverse workforce will improve patient care, provide role models for the next generation of professionals in gastroenterology and result in greater physician retention in the field. These benefits of increased diversity are not lost on me as I embark on my new position as director of the University of Chicago’s Center for Endoscopic Research and Therapeutics (CERT), one of the few independent units for advanced endoscopy in the country.
The article aptly quotes a study published in Endoscopy International Open that shows women have not generally seen female leaders in interventional endoscopy or as chiefs of endoscopy at their own institutions. As the new director of CERT, I hope to help fill that vacuum and be a role model for the next generation of women in the field, just as the senior women in our GI section have done for me. I have been fortunate to work in a GI section where 38% of the faculty overall and 45% of the professors are women. These women in our GI section, as well as my female colleagues in interventional endoscopy around the world and my own physician mother, have been a never-ending source of support. It is crucial that we all continue to support other women and minorities as they navigate careers in gastroenterology, and act as cheerleaders when one of us achieves success.
Inspiring the next generation of professionals and leaders in the field is and should be a priority for all of us in leadership positions, so that eventually, diversity and inclusivity at all levels of practice is the norm and not an exception. Being in a leadership role provides the platform to enact change and recruit others that share a vision of diversity and equity in the workplace and beyond. There can be no doubt that an inclusive work environment, where everyone feels welcome, is more productive and leads to better patient care and outcomes.
Being named as the leader of one of the most clinically active programs in our medical center, I was humbled and appreciative of the support from leadership, colleagues and staff. On a personal level, this appointment meant that my hard work and efforts were seen and my voice was heard. For many underrepresented minorities, in almost every workforce and in daily life, having visibility and acknowledgement for contributions is a shared desire. It is my sincere hope that my experiences will help guide future initiatives. In fact, one of my first objectives in this new position was to meet with staff and colleagues to let them know that I would love to hear from them and am actively listening to their opinions on ways to improve our workplace and move forward in unison as a team.
Change in any setting can be daunting and met with obstacles but can also provide opportunities for improvement. Let’s embrace all the great change that diversity brings to the field of gastroenterology and look forward to a brighter, more inclusive future!
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- Uzma D. Siddiqui, MD, FASGE, FACG, FJGES, is professor of medicine at the University of Chicago. She is also director, at the Center for Endoscopic on Research and Therapeutics (CERT) and in Advanced Endoscopy Training and Endoscopic Ultrasound at the University of Chicago.