To meet the challenges of our times, building a more diverse and culturally competent healthcare workforce is essential. Working on several fronts to bolster the pipeline of under-represented in medicine (URM) students to the field of anesthesiology, we’re pleased to call your attention to the American Society of Anesthesiologists’ (ASA) Committee on Professional Diversity Doctors Back to School Program. Led by Odmara Barreto Chang, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor in Residence in the Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care at UCSF, ASA mentoring grant reviewer, and member of the ASA Committee on Professional Diversity, this year was the first completely virtual Back to School program. Anesthesiologists from across the country participated, including 5 other UCSF Anesthesia and Perioperative Care faculty, engaging in discussions with local middle school students:
· Odi Ehie, MD, Associate Professor and Vice Chair for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
· Errol Lobo, MD, Professor
· Gabriel Sarah, MD, Associate Professor
· Tina Vu, MD, Assistant Professor
· Nandini Palaniappa, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor