A resolution to eliminate diversity efforts at the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) has sparked fierce controversy on the eve of the group’s annual conference in San Diego.
The petition, introduced by East Syracuse, New York, dermatologist Brian Raphael, MD, calls on the academy to end all of its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, including scholarships and mentoring.
It portrays DEI work, “while well-intentioned,” as evolving into a corrosive political movement that quells free speech and “is seen to foster division instead of unity.”
Co-signed by 92 physicians, the resolution also links the DEI movement to anti-Semitism but does not say how.
In response, three AAD members prepared a counter-resolution, describing the petition’s negative characterization of diversity efforts as ” unfounded (and) accusatory.” More than 6100 people signed onto a related Change.org petition strongly opposing the anti-DEI document’s goals.
“Proponents of dismantling DEI have produced no evidence other than personal opinions that DEI is not fulfilling its mission,” wrote the resolution’s authors, Wendy Roberts, MD, FAAD, Jeanine Downie, MD, FAAD, and Heidi Waldorf, MD, FAAD.
Academy leaders are expected to consider the opposing DEI resolutions as early as today during the AAD conference taking place through March 12 and hoping the discussion remains civil.
“While the national debate on race and diversity is often turbulent, the Academy remains steadfast in its dedication to the highest quality patient care for all and the professionalism of all of our members,” the group said in a press release.
Raphael released a statement in response to the backlash:
“I regret this resolution was not received in the manner we intended, and therefore we are clarifying our position. The original intent of the proposal was always to work with our colleagues and the AAD/A to adopt an even more inclusive policy in its place, one that promotes the end of racism and hate speech—and supports the equal treatment and respect of all individuals, especially within the healthcare system. We fully support AAD/A’s existing diversity programs that are focused on promoting inclusivity and creating opportunities for all groups. We are working with the AAD/A to arrive at a more inclusive policy that recognizes the horrifying rise of anti-Semitism and the need to protect against all forms of hate and discrimination.”
DEI Pushback
The anti-DEI petition comes amid increasing pushback against diversity initiatives across medical specialties, led by conservative groups and bolstered by last year’s US Supreme Court decision effectively ending affirmative action.
An anti-affirmative action group called Do No Harm has sued groups that offer race- or ethnicity-based scholarships to aspiring doctors. The group also sued the Medical Board of California over the state’s mandatory implicit bias training for physicians.
Dermatology is the second least diverse specialty, with Black physicians representing 3.6% of dermatologists and Hispanic physicians representing 4.7%. Racial disparities persist in dermatology, with fewer people of color included in clinical research studies. Studies have repeatedly found that specialists diagnose melanoma and skin diseases less accurately in patients with darker skin than those with lighter skin. Clinical images may not accurately represent conditions on darker skin, leading to biased research data and poorer outcomes for patients.
“I’m a woman of color who suffers with psoriasis and autoimmune (dysfunction) which affects my face and I struggle to find a dermatologist who looks like me and who really knows what discoloration looks like on my skin,” wrote Trecie//CQ// Spencer of Washington, DC, on the Change.org petition.
“This is absurd when I live in one of the most culturally diverse area(s) of the nation … and my particular city is over 80% black,” Spencer continued. “We need diversity and we need people of color to understand, we need them to become dermatologists and we need the white doctors to understand brown skin FROM BROWN DOCTORS, not from research only conducted on non-brown skin.”
As part of its DEI work, the AAD has committed to increasing diversity in its leadership ranks and expanding mentorship programs for students underrepresented in medicine among other efforts.
“No matter what the American Academy of Dermatology decides to do, there will always be those of us who encourage and support the recruitment of diverse trainees to the field of dermatology. We are here for you. We see you,” wrote Roxana Daneshjou, MD, PhD, in a LinkedIn post. Daneshjou, assistant professor of biomedical data science and dermatology at Stanford School of Medicine, said that she serves as a mentor to underrepresented students.
“Every student that I work with through the diversity mentorship program is beyond excellent, talented. Yet, many have heard comments from senior people about whether they belong in the field or even told by advisors not to apply to dermatology,” she commented on LinkedIn in response to a question. “There is a lot of racism in medicine and it’s keeping incredibly talented students out of dermatology. But that’s changing now because students can leave their home institution and work with mentors who want to advance their careers and believe in them. And it’s not hard to believe in them because they’re so talented.”
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