Vanderbilt Division of Nephrology and Hypertension Commitment to Diversity and Inclusivity

Our division is committed to fostering best practices to implement and sustain diversity, inclusivity, and civility. We have convened an open group of fellows and faculty, chaired by Dr. Ebele Umeukeje, who are dedicated to these efforts. Each of us is committed to championing anti-racism and creating safe spaces for conversations regarding discrimination or harassment of any kind. Please feel free to reach out to any of the below individuals confidentially to discuss questions or concerns regarding any related issues.

• Ebele Umeukeje, MD MPH

• T. Alp Ikizler, MD

• Raymond Harris, MD

• Julia Lewis, MD

• Leslie Gewin, MD

• Devika Nair, MD MSCI

• Adriana Hung, MD MPH

• Anna Burgner, MD MEHP

• Victoria Locke, MSM

• Crystal Spencer

• Monica O'hara

• Khaled Abdel-kader, MD MS

• Cassianne Robinson-Cohen, PhD

• Juan Pablo Arroyo, MD PhD

• Megha Salani, MD

• Elvis Akwo, MD, PhD

• Osama El-Shamy, MD

• Beatrice Concepcion, MD

• Bonnie Ann Sarell, MD

• Kelly Birdwell, MD, MSCI

• Mark de Caestecker, MD PhD

• Sagar Patel, MD

• Adrienne Claggett, ACNP-BC MSN

• Mary Rogers Sorey, ACNP-BC

Featured Activities/Projects 

• Podcast on Eliminating the Race Coefficient from eGFR Reporting
• CAR Toolkit to End Racialized Medicine: eGFR Edition
• Nephrology Division-wide training in Unconscious Bias- 08/03/2020
  • Arie L. Nettles, Phd, NCSP, HSP -Prof. of Clinical Pediatrics; Director VUMC Office of Inclusion and Health Equity (OIHE)
• Diversity Renal Grand Rounds - 12/10/2020
  • Jason Cobb, MD - Associate Prof of Medicine, Department of Medicine Renal Devision, Emory University School of Medicine
    • Pipeline programs to increase diversity in medical Education (KDSAP, Kidney MAPS)
    • Diversity Efforts in Nephrology Fellowship recruitment
  • ​​Kimberly Evans, MD - Associate Prof of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Duke University School of Medicine
    • Civility Champions - trainees, faculty & institutional leadership formal training to tackle post-incident incivility, bias, racism
    • "Stepping in" Program Training - training for real time intervention in situations of incivility, bias, racism
  • Nimrit Goraya, MD - Associate Prof of Medicine, Division of Nephrology Baylor Scott & White Health
    • Emphasis on Equity, Inclusion & Diversity
    • ASN Diversity Initiatives - Increasing women in Nephrology, FMG training, Immigrant care in kidney disease, URM loan repayment

Related Links: 

• VUMC Anti-Racism Hub
• VUMC Office of Health Equity 
• VUMC Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and Disability