Diversity is where it starts, belonging completes the cycle. How inclusion when setting the agenda combines with diverse voices at the decision-making table to advance health equity.

Dr. Garfield Clunie (NYU Langone) works on the frontline of maternal child health in New York City, where recent policies to standardize treatments are part of efforts to replace outdated race-based decision-making with more equitable care. This insightful conversation, hosted by Dr. Michelle Leak (Mayo Clinic, Florida), covers several discussion areas. Firstly, the importance of the concept of belonging, which Dr. Clunie believes is at least equal to the more commonly referenced trio of DEI. Secondly, addressing the need for patients to receive care from people who look like them, and the challenges in increasing diversity in the healthcare workforce. This includes proactive policies such as resourcing mentorship appropriately so that it is not an additional unrewarded burden to health equity leaders. Dr. Clunie and Dr. Leak also discuss aspects of the Movement is Life annual Caucus experience, and some suggested health equity reads. With host Michelle Leak, DEd, MBA, FACHE, Mayo Clinic, Member, Board of Directors, Movement is Life; and Dr. Garfield Clunie, Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine Vice-Chair, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, NYU Grossman School of Medicine/NYU Langone Health, & the 123rd President of the National Medical Association. © Movement is Life 2022-2023.

“Diversity is like being asked to attend the party. Inclusion is being asked to dance at the party, equity is having the same space as everyone else in which to dance. But belonging is being involved in the planning of the party and which kind of music is there. So, you are completely immersed with the other participants, and your input is equal to everyone else’s input.”  ~ Dr. Garfield Clunie

“The take home message is that diversity is important in all realms of our life. In business, medicine, in healthcare. And it’s very important to have different lived experiences come to the table, to create solutions that will be beneficial to tall.” ~ Dr. Garfield Clunie

“When it comes to diversity, equity, inclusion, and also belonging, I personally believe that out of all of those belonging is the most important.” ~ Dr. Garfield Clunie

“Many medical students comment on the positive value that diversity brings to their experience in education. When you bring all the dimensions of diversity together, all the benefits that these dimensions bring to an organization, and to patients, is seen in better quality of care, better decision making, and better leadership.” ~ Dr. Michelle Leak

“Not everyone has the same background or pathway, but they have the same perseverance. A holistic review application (to medical school) takes into account and places value on unique experiences and attributes beyond the standardized tests. But once you have a place, you are still going to have to pass the same exams.” ~ Dr. Garfield Clunie

“In maternal and child health, to try and remove bias, we have moved as much as possible towards standardized care. Every patient is an individual, but it’s unfortunate that in medicine we have adopted different thoughts for different races and ethnicities. In New York City we have made a big effort to remove instances where race is used as part of treatment algorithms. I think that using race or ethnicity to determine treatment pathways is absolutely the wrong way to go.” ~ Dr. Garfield Clunie