For the fourth straight year, the VCH Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee is working to highlight women medical staff and their extraordinary contributions to our health authority on International Women’s Day—March 8. Led by VCH DEI International Women’s Day 2022 Chair, Dr. Helen Kwoo, committee members are promoting this year’s theme of Break the Bias.
Keynote speaker Dr. Golnaz Golnaraghi will tackle the issue head on with her presentation on March 8. The award-winning leadership and equity and inclusion expert will examine ways we can challenge gender inequality in health care. All VCH medical staff are encouraged to register for the evening event here. In addition, Dr. Golnaraghi will facilitate an interactive skills-building workshop with women physicians on April 13.
“We want to encourage our colleagues to explore why breaking biases is imperative for women in the workplace and to examine the negative impacts of bias,” said Dr. Kwoo. “Our session with Dr. Golnaraghi will identify strategies for recognizing and combatting bias as well as explore allyship mindsets and behaviours needed for dismantling inequality and addressing structural changes.”
As in past years, the committee is also highlighting the contributions of seven of the thousands of incredible women who make up our medical staff. VCH leaders were asked to consider and nominate women who have made contributions to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout their careers through clinical care, research, leadership, and education. The women profiled this year are:
“The accomplishments of these women are remarkable, and I encourage everyone to read their inspiring stories,” added Dr. Kwoo.
A special shout out to Dr. Cyrus McEachern, a wonderful photographer and member of the VCH DEI Committee, who took many of the photos of the women profiled this year.
International Women’s Day is just one of many projects the VCH DEI Committee has undertaken to highlight the need for and importance of moving toward more diversity and equity in medical leadership within our health authority.