Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEI-B) Committee
The members of the Internal Medicine residency program leadership are committed to fostering a culture of belonging and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in all areas of the internal medicine program. We fully endorse the diversity statement put forth by Cooper's Graduate Medical Education program.
While our residency program has long been committed to these goals, we are now intensifying our efforts to recruit and educate residents who are dedicated to delivering equitable care for all patients and fostering a diverse physician workforce. Our program leadership actively engages with monthly DEI-B (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging) topics to critically assess and enhance our initiatives.
In the Fall of 2022, we formalized this commitment by establishing the DEI-B Committee, which now includes three core subcommittees led by program leadership, faculty, and residents.
Cooper INSPIRE Mentorship
It is central to our support for trainees underrepresented in medicine. Stands for Inclusivity, Networking, Support, Professional Growth, Inspiration, Resilience, and Empowerment. It is a robust mentorship framework that pairs residents with mentors who have self-identified similar backgrounds and interests. Resident’s mentorship network consists of an academic advisor, URiM (Underrepresented in Medicine) faculty mentor, specialty mentor, and peer mentor. By having such a robust mentorship network, we hope to foster a keen sense of belonging within our community. We host four social events where we aim to cultivate community and provide a platform for meaningful discussions on challenging topics between mentors and mentees.
Cooper URiM Recruitment
Our goal is to recruit and retain a diverse group of residents with different life experiences to build our inclusive community. We look to connect with local SNMA and LMSA chapters to enhance visibility and collaboration with medical students in the surrounding area. We participate in regional SNMA and LMSA residency recruitment fairs to emphasize commitment to inclusivity and belonging alongside the exceptional training at Cooper. We hold virtual happy hours for URiM candidates to connect with URiM residents so that they can have a platform to discuss their experiences in our residency program. Our residency selection committee has also adopted a holistic review and made a deliberate effort to interview a diverse pool of candidates with different life experiences.
Cooper DEI-B Core Curriculum
The third pillar of our program is curriculum development, which plays a crucial role in advancing our equity and inclusion efforts through comprehensive education and training for both residents and faculty. Central to our curriculum expansion is a 3-year longitudinal DEI-B core lecture series, organized around four main pillars: social and structural determinants of health, LGBTQ+ centered care, anti-racism principles, and allyship training. These core lectures, delivered during noon conferences, are complemented by monthly DEI-B specific sessions, including traditional lectures, case-based discussions, and journal clubs, all designed to deepen understanding and enhance the practical application of DEI-B principles. This approach not only provides essential skills but also promotes self-reflection on knowledge gaps, fostering lifelong, self-directed learning in DEI-B. Examples of our core lectures include:
- Intro to Providing Equitable Care in an Inequitable System
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Structural Racism in Medicine
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Allyship 101
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Trans Health 101
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Upstander Training
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Resources for Patients in Camden
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Intro to Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Land Acknowledgement
Cooper University Healthcare is situated on Lenapehoking, the ancestral lands of the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape tribal nation.
We recognize and lament the history of genocide, forced displacement, and cultural erasure inflicted upon the American Indian people of our region. At the same time, we celebrate the resilience, vitality, and ongoing sovereignty of the Lenni-Lenape people today.
In acknowledgment of the enduring legacy of colonization and the quest for peace between American Indian communities and those who have migrated to this land, whether recently or generations ago, Cooper Internal Medicine Program is dedicated to fostering collaborative relationships with Lenape and other historically marginalized groups in our area.
Beyond acknowledging settler colonialism in our region, the faculty, staff, and residents will be actively looking for opportunities to forge meaningful partnerships with our Lenape peers, colleagues, and neighbors. As we pursue shared objectives, we will regularly update this page to reflect our commitments and progress.