The Department of Anesthesiology encompasses a kaleidoscope of races, ethnicities, sexual orientations, religions, genders, socioeconomic backgrounds, and experiences, and its research divisions are no exception. In the fields of research and medicine, our workforce diversity is critical to our future achievements and scientific discoveries, and we are striving to build a pathway of bright and undiscovered talents. The ASSURE program launched its first cohort of students in the summer of 2021 with the hope of being able to better attract, train, mentor, and provide long-term career support for local students who are interested in research.
Pathway programs are by their nature investments in all of our futures. The department aims to increase opportunities from within by investing in research programs for college students that might pique interest in health science careers, graduate school, postdoctoral training, and faculty positions down the road. The department will provide mentorship and guidance via not only faculty leadership but also our trainee-run diversity committee (CREATE – Committee for Real Equity in Anesthesiology Training and Education); by including staff and trainees in the department’s diversity, equity, and inclusion task force; and by seeking funding opportunities that aim to increase breadth and diversity of backgrounds across the research spectrum to support the growth of this crucial pathway program that enriches both the incoming candidate pool and every current member of our research community.