Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Meet the New System Vice Chair for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Mirna Mohanraj, MD
What drew you to the role of System Vice Chair for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Department of Medicine?
My work in the DEI space was informed by the intersection of my academic interests: medical education, humanizing the clinical environment, the ethical administration of care, Harlem community partnerships, and the equitable recruitment of medical trainees. Bringing this experience to the System Vice Chair for DEI role was exciting on many levels. I am very proud to be the first DOM Vice Chair to ‘sit’ at Mount Sinai Morningside. This reflects both Dr. Kraft’s and my deep commitment to building a more inclusive department across hospital sites, specialties, divisions, and offices.
I’m also motivated by the task of empowering every member of our community: faculty, trainees, staff, and rotating students. We are a vast department, but every voice, every identity, every experience matters. Expansive DEI policies and education strategies have important value; but I believe that some of the most transformative work lies in knowing each other better as human beings. Embracing and developing our micro-communities – both within the institution and with our surrounding neighbors – is critical to the better understanding and celebration of our differences.
How can Department of Medicine faculty and trainees become involved with committees that tackle unconscious bias and systemic racism?
As Vice Chair, I am charged with overseeing departmental DEI initiatives across several realms – community building, recruitment & retention, mentoring, education, and research. To these ends, it’s been inspiring to meet with our cross-divisional DEI leaders and to leverage their expertise as we restructured and relaunched the DOM DEI Council – our 'think tank' for organizational DEI change in the department. Council membership is well-suited for individuals who are passionate about work in the DEI and social justice space, despite the growing challenges of our present national climate. We are particularly interested in welcoming trainees and staff from diverse lived experiences and from divisions that are currently less represented on the Council.
There has never been a more difficult or more crucial time to commit to this work. But as a department, we remain unwavering in our mission to diversify the healthcare workforce and to ensure that DOM endeavors are developed, implemented, and reviewed via an equity lens. The work of this office is slow and emotional. But it is also creative, collaborative, and exciting. In the months to come, I look forward to sharing several innovative and meaningful initiatives aimed to strengthening our DOM community. Do stay tuned!
