2022: Engaging initiatives led by AMIA members ... a year of firsts
The AMIA Board of Directors unanimously approved comprehensive recommendations from the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force in 2021, an effort that grew out of the murder of George Floyd, the activism that followed, and the leadership of AMIA members who wanted to make difference.
A remarkable 75 member leaders volunteered to join the effort and pursue one mission – to build a more diverse, inclusive and sustainable AMIA. The DEI Committee is led by chair Tiffani J. Bright and co-chairs Oliver J. Bear Don’t Walk IV and Robert J. Lucero.
The new DEI Committee launched five subcommittees with a wide-ranging scope including recruitment, retention, advancement, communications, education, governance, policy, health equity and antiracism in healthcare. In less than one year the results of member created and led initiatives are impressive.
The AMIA membership is engaged. More than 40 sessions at the Annual Symposium present topics related to diversity in health and healthcare. Informatics research and practice intersect directly with health equity, social determinants of health, public health, disability and diversity in research.
AMIA student member JaMor Hairston, University of Alabama Birmingham, with DEI Recruitment Subcommittee members Terika McCall and Naleef Fareed at the TAPIA conference.
DEI Committee and Subcommittee Highlights
Communications Subcommittee
- Co-chairs Rebecca Riviera and Hu Huang
The AMIA DEI Inclusive Language and Context Style Guidelines is a first for AMIA. They will be introduced in the Symposium W21 workshop on Sunday, November 6, 8:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. and launched in conjunction with next year’s 2023 Annual Symposium Call for Participation. More than 25 members contributed to the work and 180+ attendees registered for the workshop. The Inclusive Language Guidelines will provide guidance for authors and reviewers engaged in all AMIA meetings.
Recruitment Subcommittee
- Co-chairs Terika McCall and Kim Unertl
DEI launched its first conference exhibition to reach more diverse communities. TAPIA is the Celebration of Diversity in Computing Conference reaching 1200+ students of Native, African American, disabled and LGBTQIA backgrounds. This pilot program included an AMIA member presentation, exhibiting and opportunities for AMIA student members to attend and represent AMIA. Listening Sessions for Asian, LGBTQIA and disability communities will launch in 2023.
Health Equity and Antiracism in Healthcare Subcommittee
- Co-chairs Catherine Craven, Kevin Wiley, and Robert Lucero
The DEI Committee is gathering baseline data for the organization and introduced the first DEI Membership Survey. Initial results and findings will be presented Monday, November 7, 12:15 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. The survey explores what DEI is within AMIA and will inform the future work of the subcommittees.
Retention and Advancement Subcommittee
- Co-chairs Arlene Chung and Julio Facelli
The first DEI-ME Mentoring Event launches at the Symposium on Sunday, November 6, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. It is introducing DEI related mentoring topics including LGBTQIA, navigating intersectionality and bias, BIPOC informaticians and mid-career DEI. Mentoring is critical to inclusion and career success, more so for those underrepresented in the field.
Education, Governance and Policy Subcommittee
- Co-chairs Tony Solomonides and Juan Espinoza
AMIA DEI is launching its first DEI Book Club to educate and engage member leaders on DEI issues. The work selected is “On Being Included: Racism and Diversity in Institutional Life” by Sara Ahmed, Duke University Press. This book was selected to help leaders throughout AMIA identify and overcome roadblocks as we incorporate DEI into our institutions and promote anti-racist practices.
More firsts designed to make AMIA more inclusive
- A sensory room for those needing self-care at the symposium
- The first LGBTQIA+ QuINE Queer in AMIA Networking Reception joins the DEI Community Reception as a gathering place for DEI member communities and allies.