Inclusion and Care

A Culture of Inclusion and Care

Everyone is welcome here! Our residency program is committed to building a culture of inclusion and care. This commitment values diversity and strives to be antiracist in all we do. We work to recognize, address, and eradicate all forms of bias, racism, sexism, and ethnic oppression. We believe the care we provide, along with our teaching, service, and scholarship, should constantly challenge oppression. We work to reduce racial injustices within our department, care settings, university, and beyond, and we are united in the pursuit to end racial and ethnic bias and to empower our trainees towards this common goal.

In addition to having the right to feel comfortable bringing your full and authentic self to the program, as a resident you will have the opportunity to participate and benefit from multiple cultural improvement initiatives described below.

Dr. Sharon Stoolman serves as the Vice Chair for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for the Department of Pediatrics. In the role, Dr. Stoolman helps oversee the development and implementation of DEI efforts within the Department of Pediatrics, including working closely with the Pediatrics Residency Program. Together with other departmental and university leaders, Dr. Stoolman works to create a welcoming, inclusive environment for everyone.

Shavonne Washington-Krauth is the inaugural Culture and Inclusion Manager for Children’s Nebraska. Ms. Washington-Krauth’s responsibilities include the creation and revision of systems, policies, opportunities, and environments in which everyone can not only work, but thrive at a more equitable rate without feeling excluded or marginalized. She also leads the development and implementation of a culture, diversity, and inclusion strategic framework; initiation and supervision of five employee resource groups, and serves as an advisor or subject matter expert on topics regarding the organization’s culture, diversity, and inclusion efforts. 

Some of their current offerings include:

• 5 Employee Resource Groups
• Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) Committee
• Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Committee
• Unconscious Bias & Inclusive Leadership training
• Monthly policy review committee including D&I-focused reviews
• Revision of harassment and discrimination policy and process
• Community event sponsorship and participation

The dean of the UNMC College of Medicine established the new office of diversity, equity, and inclusion in November 2020 to pave the way for the many changes and new initiatives needed for the college to become a more active and effective participant in the drive to achieve racial and social justice. Dr. Shirley Delair, chief of pediatric infectious diseases, director of the pediatric residency global health track and associate professor of the department of pediatrics was appointed as the inaugural dean of diversity, equity and inclusion. She is currently building her team to devise initiatives that will enhance recruitment and retention of a diverse workforce into an inclusive and supportive academic environment.

Developed in 2020, the Office of Inclusion is an ambassador for UNMC to provide support for educational and leadership excellence that hopes to create a diverse, unbiased, and empowered workforce to achieve improvements in people’s lives by reducing health inequities. Dr. Sheritta A. Strong, an award-winning distinguished fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and an adult psychiatrist at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, serves in the role as the Assistant Vice Chancellor of Inclusion. She works closely with the Office of Equity (sister office to the Office of Inclusion) and the newly formed Office of Student Life Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity to ensure that our campus is a welcoming and safe environment for everyone.