Diversity and Inclusion

The Division of Geriatric Medicine is dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion throughout its education, training, research, and clinical programs.  

We seek engagement across all faculty, staff, and trainees through various channels by actively discussing ideas and promoting conversations on a division-wide platform.  

Some examples of these channels and topics are below: 

Provider focused training 

• Recognizing Microaggressions led by Walter K. Clair, MD, VUMC Professor of Medicine, Cardiovascular Medicine Division, Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology Program Faculty, Vice Chair for Diversity and Inclusion and Kristy J. Sinkfield, MEd, VUMC Associate Vice President, Diversity and Inclusion 

Geriatric Medicine Division Grand Rounds & MMI 

• “The Lenses We Wear: Unconscious Bias,” Arie L. Nettles, PhD, NCSP, HSP, VUMC Professor of Clinical Pediatrics; Director, Office of Inclusion and Health Equity, Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Chair, Statewide Planning and Policy Council, Tennessee Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities 

• “Diversity and Inclusion,” presented by Consuelo H. Wilkins, MD, MSCI, VUMC Senior Vice President and Senior Associate Dean for Health Equity and Inclusive Excellence; Associate Director, Vanderbilt Institute for Clinical and Translational Science; Professor of Medicine, Geriatric Medicine Division; Engagement Core Director, All of Us Research Program 

• “The Time is Now: Integrating Health Equity and the Social Determinants of Health into Geriatrics Education,” presented by Ryan Z. Chippendale MD, Assistant Professor of Geriatrics; Geriatric Medicine Fellowship Program Director; Co-director for the Geriatric-Oncology combined Fellowship, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine/Boston Medical Center

• “The Benefits of Affirming Care for Older LGBTQ+ Adults,” presented by Tara A. McKay, PhD, Sociologist; Assistant Professor of Medicine, Health, and Society at Vanderbilt University; Associate Director of the Vanderbilt LGBT Policy Lab and Principal Investigator of the Vanderbilt University Social Networks, Aging, and Policy Study (VUSNAPS) 

Suggestions for topics for future education opportunities can be sent to the division’s diversity liaison, Victor J. Legner, MD, MSc, VUMC Associate Professor, Division of Geriatric Medicine; VUMC Associate Vice Chair for Network Services; Founding Executive Medical Director, Primary Care Patient Care Center (PCC) at VUMC.

Vanderbilt DEI Resources:

• VUMC Department of Medicine Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

• VUMC Diversity and Inclusion

• VUMC Diversity Liaison Committee

• VUMC Employee Resource Groups

  •  African American ERG

  • Asian American/Pacific Islander ERG

  • Disability ERG

  • Latino ERG

  • LBGTQ ERG

• VUMC Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and Disability

• VUMC House Staff Diversity & Inclusion Alliance

• VUMC Minority Housestaff for Academic and Medical Achievement

• VUMC Office of Diversity Affairs

• VUMC Office of Health Equity Antiracism Hub

• VUMC Office of Inclusion and Health Equity

• VUMC Program for LGBTQ Health

• Vanderbilt University Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

• Vanderbilt University Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex Life

• Diversity Literature and Articles (SharePoint access required)