The Center for Diversity and Inclusion Monthly eNews

November 2022

In this Issue

  • CDI Announcements
  • Humans of CDI
  • The Research Hub
  • Resident and Fellow (RFC Corner)
  • MGH Awards
  • MGH Events
  • HMS Events and Awards
  • Congratulations and Recognition


Quick Links

In this month's Humans of CDI, hear from Carlos Torres, MD, pediatrician at MGH Chelsea HealthCare Center, Director of Diversity & Equity Education at Mass General for Children, Clinician-Teacher Development Award (CTDA) recipient and the newest member of the CDI Team.

CDI Announcements

Dr. Carlos Torres is named CDI’s Associate Director for Learning and Education

The CDI team has been busy this past year developing a Diversity and Inclusion Learning Pathway, in partnership with MGB UAR training and education. Carlos Torres, MD, from the department of Pediatrics, recently joined the team as CDI’s Associate Director for Learning and Education, to help lead these efforts for physicians and scientists. Dr. Torres has been leading the implementation of diversity education initiatives in Pediatrics, and will be integrating this knowledge, expertise and passion as a liaison for all MGH clinical and research departments. 


Please see this month's Humans of CDI below for Dr. Torres’ bio and to learn more about what he hopes to accomplish.

2023 Summer Research Trainee Program

Application Deadline - Sun, Jan 22 at 5 pm ET

Help us spread the word to eligible students!


The MGH Center for Diversity and Inclusion is now accepting applications for the 2023 Summer Research Trainee Program (SRTP), which will be held from June 5 to July 28. Each summer, college and graduate students aspiring to obtain MDs and PhDs in biomedical sciences are selected from a nationwide competition to join SRTP. Students are assigned to specific MGH laboratories or clinical, health policy, and health services research areas, where they undertake an original research project under the mentorship and guidance of an MGH investigator. Due to budget constraints, we will be scaling this program back from 30 to 15 students this year.

Click here for application information

Attend the virtual CDI applicant receptions and make a difference during the residency recruitment season!

CDI sponsors receptions during the interview season for all fellowship and MGH residency and combined program applicants who are underrepresented in medicine (UiM). Our receptions will be virtual and will take place in the evening. The CDI receptions are an excellent way for applicants to meet our community and learn about what we do. We are also holding four joint receptions with our colleagues at BWH CDI for joint program applicants. A detailed schedule with reception dates is below. Details on how to RSVP will be sent in a separate email.

Humans of CDI 

Featuring Carlos Torres, MD


Dr. Carlos Torres is a pediatrician at MGH Chelsea HealthCare Center and Associate Director of Diversity & Equity at MassGeneral Hospital for Children. After going Mexico to Wisconsin, Dr. Torres went on to receive his Doctor of Medicine from Harvard Medical School. From there, he attended pediatric residency at MassGeneral Hospital for Children and served as a chief resident.


Dr. Torres received the Clinician-Teacher Development Award (CTDA) in 2019, which further allowed him to explore his clinical and research interests in immigrant health, disparity research, LGBT health, and resiliency. In 2022, Dr. Torres joined the Center for Diversity and Inclusion team as Associate Director for Learning and Education.

 

To learn more about Carlos and his journey, click here.

The Research Hub

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A Message from Drs. Cesar Castro and Julie Price

As CDI Faculty co-Directors for Research, we have been working closely with the CDI team to create a plan to promote our UiM MGH researcher workforce.  We continue to work to expand investigative networks and catalyze the cross-pollination of ideas. Through enhanced, meaningful, and fruitful collaborations, we are poised to enact sustained change to address longstanding structural challenges facing UiM investigators.  It has been a pleasure to meet members of our UiM community and we look forward to future opportunities to do so.


Below are two opportunities to connect with us and each other:

 

  1. Individual 1:1 consultations: We invite you to meet with either of us to discuss your research ambitions, lessons learned, and how we can leverage MGH’s collective resources to favorably shape your professional narratives. Please sign up through our individual Calendly sites (links below).
  2. Research Recharge: Our first Research Recharge event was November 2nd at CNY and we had a great time meeting members of our UiM research community (see recap below). Special thanks to Ashley Hayden, Post-Baccalaureate Association, Diversity, Belonging & Resource Group, and Kieran Normoyle, MD, MGH Postdoc Association, for sharing information about their associations and resources available, including special negotiated discounts on study guides for college exams! Please reach out to Ashley for more information. We invite you, the MGH UiM research workforce, to attend our next Research Recharge. The date, time and location will be announced via email and in our next newsletter.

We very much look forward to meeting and engaging with you very soon!

Schedule a meeting with Dr. Cesar Castro
Schedule a meeting with Dr. Julie Price

We encourage you to explore resources from our colleagues in MGRI Division of Clinical ResearchBrowse DCR's Suggested Courses to sign up for role-specific and skills-based courses to advance your career.

Funding and Fellow Opportunities








Click here to see the Executive Committee on Research's (ECOR) intranet site for external limited submissions and internal funding opportunities.

Request for Application (RFA):

2022 COURAGE Pilot & Feasibility Grants

COURAGE Program Application Deadline: March 1 at 8 pm ET

RFC Corner

MGB Trainee Bowling Night - Nov 30

MGB Graduate Medical Education and the MGH/BWH Centers for Diversity and Inclusion are hosting a bowling event for UiM trainees on Wed, Nov 30, 2022, from 7-10pm. This is a great way to meet other UiM trainees across MGB! Bowling and refreshments are covered! Invitations have been sent under separate cover.

MGH CDI Chat & Chill

MGH Awards

Call For Nominations!

CFD Outstanding Mentor of UiM Faculty and Trainees Award

Deadline - Wed, Nov 23, 2022

Sponsored by the Center for Faculty Development

 

Do you have or know an outstanding mentor?

 

In acknowledgment of the excellent mentoring culture at MGH, the Center for Faculty Development is sending out a call for nominations for the CFD Excellence in Mentoring Awards.

 

The CFD Excellence in Mentoring Awards recognize faculty and postdoctoral fellows whose mentoring has contributed to the success of other faculty and/or trainees during their careers.


To encourage a culture of stronger sponsorship of underrepresented in medicine (UiM) faculty and trainees, the MGH Center for Faculty Development, in consultation with the MGH Center for Diversity and Inclusion, has created the Outstanding Mentor of UiMs Award to recognize faculty who support and empower their UiM colleagues in advancing their career and achieving their professional goals and who actively work to create a more open, equitable environment in which UiMs can thrive, grow, and attain major leadership roles.


We encourage you to nominate a faculty member who has been an outstanding mentor to our UiM faculty and trainees! Nominations are due Wednesday, November 23, and the winners will be announced at the MGH Celebration of Mentoring on January 25, 2023.

Click here to read more about the award and how to submit a nomination!

MGH Events

Wellman Anti-Racism Effort (WARE)

Social Issues in Optics and Photonics Salon Sessions

Nov 17 & Dec 1

WARE's ongoing seminar series, "Social Issues in Optics and Photonics Salon," explores several topics probing how our research is impacted by historical frameworks and how these affect society. Each standalone session will begin with an overview from presenters of weekly reading materials, then delve further into specific discussion topics. The remaining program schedule is as follows (more details are available on WARE's website): 


Happening today, Thursday, Nov 17, 5 - 6:30 pm:

Forming Sustainable and Mutually Beneficial International Collaborations: Challenges and Opportunities


Description:

What are the challenges in building clinical and research relationships across borders? How can these be mitigated to form long-term and impactful scientific partnerships? Join the WARE this Thursday (11/17, 5-6:30pm EST) as we invite panelists to discuss these questions as part of our Social Issues in Optics and Photonics online discussion series. We are excited to welcome Dr. Esther Freeman, M.D., Ph.D., Dr. Lilit Garibyan, M.D., Ph.D., Dr. Gary Tearney, M.D., PH.D., and Dr. Thanh-Nga Tran, M.D., Ph.D. to share their experiences and perspectives on global health challenges and opportunities. RSVP for the event on Zoom at this link, and find more details about the discussion series on WARE's website!


Thursday, Dec 1, 3 - 4:30 pm:

Advocacy Online in a Wikipedia Edit-a-Thon


Description:

How are the achievements of pioneering scientists and clinicians recognized online? What can we do to advance the equitable recognition of these figures who belong to underrepresented and minority groups? Join the Wellman Anti-Racism Effort (WARE) on Thursday, 12/1 at 3-4:30pm EST in a Wikipedia Edit-a-Thon facilitated by Dr. Jessica Wade, Ph.D., of Imperial College London. RSVP for the event on Zoom at this link, and find more details about the discussion series on WARE's website!

HMS Events and Awards

Click here to learn more about the Equity, Social Justice, and Advocacy Award 

Calling for Abstracts -- 2023 HMS New England Science Symposium

22nd Annual New England Science Symposium

The Joseph B. Martin Conference Center at Harvard Medical School

Sunday, April 2, 2023

 

On behalf of the Harvard Medical School Office for Diversity Inclusion and Community Partnership and the Biomedical Science Careers Program (BSCP), we are asking for your help in identifying fellows/students (particularly Black/African-American, Hispanic/LatinX and American Indian/Alaska Native individuals) involved in biomedical or health-related scientific research who would benefit from presenting their research projects at the 22nd Annual New England Science Symposium (NESS) to be held in person on Sunday, April 2, 2023 at the Harvard Medical School Joseph B. Martin Conference Center located at 77 Avenue Louis Pasteur in Boston, Massachusetts. Program flyer can be found here.

 

The deadline to submit abstracts: January 6, 2023. 

 

To submit abstracts: http://www.NewEnglandScienceSymposium.org

 

Registration for the general public will open September 2022.

 

Abstract Feedback Session - Saturday, December 3, 2022. This session is planned for individuals who wish to receive feedback from advisors and peers in small groups before submitting their abstract to NESS. Participating in this session is not required, nor does it guarantee acceptance. Program flyer can be found here.

 

The deadline to submit your abstract for the review session is November 16th.

Please have your ABSTRACT ready BEFORE beginning the application.

https://hms.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9yOXoI39YxWD4Wy

 

If you have any questions or concerns, please email the NESS team

at ness@hms.harvard.edu

Congratulations and Recognition

We are pleased to announce that not only was Dr. Sherri-Ann Burnett-Bowie promoted to Physician, the highest MD/DO rank at Mass General, as of November 1, 2022, the CDI Associate Director assumed a position as the Internal Medicine residency program Firm Chief. 

 

Firm Chiefs serve as key contributors to resident education and are experienced clinical educators who are integrally involved in all aspects of residency growth and development: clinical competency, career development, academic scholarly work, and skills development. The expansion of the Firm Chief system will allow for smaller, more intimate firms where Firm Chiefs can serve as both academic advisors and mentors with more contact with our trainees with the goal being to guide and support each resident’s growth and development based on their individual needs. Please join us in congratulating Dr. Burnett Bowie on this tremendous accomplishment! 

Nkechi Conteh, MD, MPH, Associate Program Director for Diversity of the MGH/McLean Psychiatry Residency Program and an Instructor of Psychiatrist at Harvard Medical School, received the 2022 MGH Global Health Community Engagement Award in support of her work in racial disparities in perinatal psychiatric care. She represented MGH Global Psychiatry at the 9th World Congress on Women's Mental Health hosted by the International Association of Women's Mental Health in the Netherlands, where she discussed the Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Racial Disparities in Perinatal Mental Health in the United States. 



Marcela del Carmen, MD, MPH, president of Massachusetts General Physicians Organization, was named to the 2022 Top 100 Women-Led Businesses in Massachusetts list by The Women’s Edge and The Boston Globe. 


Abner Louissaint Jr., MD, PhD, medical director, Core Laboratory, Hematology, has been appointed as the inaugural incumbent of the Aziz and Nur Hamzaogullari Endowed Scholar in Hematologic Malignancies. Louissaint’s clinical expertise includes hematopathology and his research interests lie in the molecular genetics of lymphoma and the generation of in-vitro and in-vivo models of lymphoma for the study of lymphoma biology and improved prognostication and therapy. This endowed scholarship was made possible by Aziz and Nur Hamzaogullari.

The Center for Diversity and Inclusion

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Phone: 617-724-3832

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