Diversity

The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Washington is committed to an inclusive environment and to reducing inequities in patient care through education, research, leadership and excellence in clinical care. We strongly believe that diversity enriches training, scientific discovery and promotes the best healthcare.

Our Council on the Promotion of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion is a cross section of faculty, staff and trainees.

As a large-scale healthcare provider in the five-state region of Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho (WWAMI), we serve a substantial population of both urban and rural patients from a variety of socioeconomic, racial and ethnic backgrounds.

Values in Action

We maintain a climate of respect for patients and their families, our students, trainees, faculty and staff.
We pursue the recruitment, retention and advancement of faculty and trainees from underrepresented groups in medicine.
We strive for diversity in race, culture, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical ability and socioeconomic background.

Department Initiatives

Our 2019 Medical Intern Class

In 2019, our department established two new initiatives recognizing the importance of diversity for maintaining excellence in our teaching, patient care and research programs:

Diversity Sub-Internship

This is an experience with a $1,500 stipend designed to give two fourth-year students from historically underrepresented backgrounds the opportunity to experience the outstanding clinical training in our department prior to choosing where to go for their residency. For more information, visit the Diversity Sub-I page on the UW Medicine Center for Health Equity, Diversity & Inclusion website.

Council on the Promotion of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

The department's Diversity Council is part of the broader UW Medicine Center for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. It is composed of 14 faculty, staff, and trainees dedicated to department-wide initiatives honoring, promoting and recognizing diversity in its many forms. The inaugural group is serving a two-year term. Our membership roster is on the sidebar to the right.

OB/GYN Faculty Supports LGBTQ Pride Month
Network of Underrepresented Residents and Fellows

Established in 2010, the University of Washington Network of Underrepresented Residents and Fellows (UWNURF) is a resident and fellow organization at the University of Washington that promotes cultural diversity in medicine through community education, mentorship, professional networking, cultural competency education, and recruitment of underrepresented medical students, residents and fellows.