Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging
Residency Council for Diversity and Inclusion:
The Weill Cornell Medicine Psychiatry Residency Council for Diversity and Inclusion (RCDI) aims to provide a space within the residency to celebrate and promote the different and unique voices, identities, and experiences of its residents. Through this celebration of diversity among ourselves, we hope to strengthen and build our own residency community, while simultaneously enhancing the psychiatric care we deliver to hospital and community-based patients.
The Residency Council for Diversity and Inclusion aims to
- Advance diversity and inclusion through recruitment of residents traditionally under-represented in medicine both in terms of background, but also in terms of willingness and courage to speak out on issues of injustice in psychiatry.
- Educate ourselves and one another about the way social divisions based on class, race/ethnicity, gender, sexual identity and other life experiences and identities impact mental health, with the goal of developing into physicians more equipped to meet the mental health needs of all patients.
- Address social issues impacting psychiatry through activism and collaboration within our communities.
Council Co-Chairs
Abdallah Tom, M.D.
lsz9001@nyp.org
Fabian Thompson, M.D.
fdt7001@nyp.org
Current Initiatives and Collaborations
Monthly Inclusion Gatherings
Monthly inclusion gatherings provide a space to get together to support one another and our community while “breaking bread” over department-funded dinner. We also attend exhibits in the community that explore diverse perspectives.
Lunch and Learns
Each Friday from 12pm - 1pm, the residency program hosts a luncheon discussion series for all residents focused on a range of ideas including clinical topics, resident wellbeing and many more. This program supports the RCDI in organizing this 3-4 lunch and learn sessions every year.
Collaborative Efforts
- Pathways to Psych Careers: Residents participate in as mentors in this summer program for undergraduate students.
- Weill Cornell Community Clinic: Several residents are currently running CBT sessions for the clinic's patients without insurance.
- Wellness Qlinic: During the inpatient rotation, PGY-IIs spend one night a week delivering psychotherapy to Qlinic patients.
- Department of Medicine Minority Housestaff Committee: Opportunity to meet, connect and build community with residents in the medicine department.
- Diversity Mentorship Cascade Program: Residents can apply to participate in this Weill Cornell Medicine program to develop skills in mentorship.
- Collaboration with other community partners through participation in weekly/monthly meetings as individual residents are able: