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DEI Resources at TARC and UNC

The following is a very small sampling designed to provide a better understanding of the numerous DEI resources within the Thurston Arthritis Research Center, our Division, our Medical School, and our University.

Workplace and Climate — Resources to ensure we are building and maintaining a supportive and DEI-centric work environment for all of our team members.

  • University Office for Diversity and Inclusion, a comprehensive portal offering updates on DEI-related “Breaking News” (both at UNC and on the state/federal government level), resources for issues ranging from sexual assault awareness, to Spanish-language info and resources related to COVID-19.
  • UNC School of Medicine Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and UNC Office of Inclusive Excellence.
  • UNC Diversity Calendar of Events, featuring regular updates on trainings, podcasts, etc., and activities such the “Voices,” after-hours UNC walking tours & performances.
  • Weekly “DEI-Friday” Newsletters, sent to our Department regarding upcoming DEI events and classes/certificates, links to DEI resources, spotlights on DEI research happening in our Division, and celebration of DEI news such as Juneteenth.
  • LGBTQ CENTER – Resources and Training Sessions, including 4-hour “Healthcare Safe Zone” trainings, which cover LGBTQ health disparities, health resources, terminology primers and strategies for allyship, as well as training in common healthcare professional scenarios.

Curriculum and Scholarship — We provide our healthcare professionals with the latest and most informative resources to help them ensure their research and patient care efforts are benefitting from important DEI-related insights and perspectives.

The Thurston Arthritis Research Center frequently includes DEI topics in its regular grand rounds program, with presentations such as:

  • “Social Determinants of Health and COVID-19: Thinking Outside the Clinic;” Seth Berkowitz, MD
  • “Pediatric and Adolescent Clinic for Gender Wellness;” Nina Jain, MD
  • “Strategies to Promote the Pipeline and Diversify the School of Medicine;” Nate Thomas, PhD
  • “Recruitment/Support of Physicians from Underrepresented Racial & Ethnic Groups;” Andrew Spector, MD (Duke)
  • “Rural Underserved Medicine and Rheumatology” Leah Better, MD

Fellowship Journal Clubs: Both the Rheumatology Fellowship and the Allergy/Immunology Fellowship programs contain multiple opportunities for DEI research and discussion. As one example, each of the programs include regularly scheduled “Journal Clubs,” which routinely include DEI related topics.

UNC Medical School DEI Trainings/DEI Certificate Programs – Offering workshops in topics such as:

  • Unconscious Bias – Explores unintended/implicit bias and introduces foundational concepts needed to engage with DEI issues.
  • Respecting All – Explores specific examples of biased behavior, and responses to these acts of disrespect and discrimination.

Access and Success — We are committed to fostering a work place in which all qualified candidates have an equal opportunity to learn about our job opportunities, to join as a vital member of our work team, and to succeed in an enriching, supportive and inclusive environment.

The PROMISE Study  – A multi-site collaboration between UNC Chapel Hill and Duke University, seeking to address the widespread underrepresentation of several racial and ethnic groups in the biomedical and research workforce.

Carolina Post-Doctoral Program for Faculty Diversity – One of the oldest programs of its type in the country, this is a robust diversity-focused recruiting tool that enables us to provide 2-year research fellowships to recipients, many of whom are later hired by UNC. TARC is currently working with a program participant in the research lab of Dr. Richard Loeser, the Director of our research facility.

Community Engagement — We have a long tradition of proactively reaching out to – and interacting with – local communities and populations that have been historically underserved, to ensure they have equal access to top-notch medical care and resources.

We care deeply about the health and wellness of our patients, as well as their families and their communities and are passionate about providing them with assistance: