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DIVERSITY: Society of Endourology’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Efforts
By: Michelle Jo Semins, MD, Chair, D&I Committee, Section of Endourology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pennsylvania | Posted on: 06 Apr 2023
The Society of Endourology is pleased to share its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts with the urological community and is equally enthusiastic to hear the accomplishments of other organizations. Sharing information carries the potential to assist in more rapid and effective progression of a common goal.
The Launch
The Society of Endourology formally initiated DEI efforts with the convening of a Diversity and Inclusivity (D&I) Taskforce in August 2020 on the basis that any highly functioning organization should have a commitment to D&I. At this same time, a D&I Policy was added to the Society’s bylaws. There is evidence that the greater diversity present in a group, the more successful that group will be.1 The goal of the Taskforce was to perform an assessment of the Society’s present state with regards to D&I, to seek input from aligned stakeholders, and to subsequently provide recommendations for future efforts in these domains. The team invested resources to evaluate leadership and past Society programming representation, and to outreach to several entities in the urological community who have similar interests and goals. Recommendations were then made to the Executive Committee based on the Taskforce’s findings. In October 2021, a D&I Committee was formalized to carry forward the recommendations laid out by the Taskforce.
Execution of the Recommendations
Defining and tracking representation, creating opportunity
To measure current state and change, data need to be collected and followed. Shortly after convening the Taskforce, the Data Committee launched efforts to establish an annual census to define and track membership demographics. Starting in 2023, data will also be tracked systematically for annual scientific programming for speakers and attendees.
The Society also launched efforts to create opportunity for diverse participation by creating a Speaker Database. Members can sign up on the Society webpage, and the organization hopes to generate a diverse pool of speakers from which to utilize for scientific programming.
Educational efforts
Besides collecting prospective data and creating opportunity for participation, the Society has also focused on educational efforts. The D&I Committee, with the support of the Executive Committee and industry funding by Cook Medical Inc, has been able to establish a Quarterly Webinar Series, with its inaugural event February 2022. To date there have been 4 events (Table 1), and these sessions will continue long-term as part of the Society’s commitment to change. D&I programming has also been introduced into the annual meetings starting in 2022 (Table 2), and the 2023 World Congress of Endourology and Technology organizing committee officially approved the introduction of a D&I abstract category. In addition, the D&I Committee has partnered with several other groups, such as Young Endourology and Team of Worldwide Endourology Researchers (TOWER), to assist in D&I programming planning at the upcoming annual meeting.
Table 1. Quarterly Webinar Series
| Quarterly D&I Webinar Series |
|---|
| February, 2022—Gender Equity in Endourology |
| June, 2022—Mentorship and Allyship |
| November, 2022—My Own Pathway and How I Work to Expand the Pipeline: Attracting Diverse Youth on an International Level |
| February, 2023—Difficult Conversations: How to Approach DEI Case Scenarios in Medicine |
| Abbreviations: D&I, diversity and inclusivity; DEI, diversity, equity, and inclusion. |
Table 2. Diversity and Inclusivity Programming at the World Congress of Endourology and Technology
| WCET D&I Plenaries |
|---|
| 2022—Excelling in Diversity: Gender Equity Myths |
| 2023—Why Diversity Efforts Often Fail |
| Abbreviations: D&I, diversity and inclusivity; WCET, World Congress of Endourology and Technology. |
Research efforts
Besides educational endeavors, the Committee is beginning to partner with groups such as TOWER to establish research efforts in health disparities. TOWER is the international research arm of the Endourology Society. Their Research Team is also actively working on increasing representation from all parts of the world to help study these topics. There are links on the Society website to submit to join the Research Team and to contact the team about a trial. Collaboration with organizations that align with the Society’s goals will help progress D&I efforts.
Recognition
The Society is currently in the process of applying for funding to support a D&I Award. This award will be presented by the Endourology Society to individuals who make significant contributions to the endourologic field in DEI. Bringing awareness to D&I issues and affecting cultural change for the benefit of endourology through leadership efforts is valued.
Future Goals
The Society looks forward to continuing D&I efforts. Future goals include focusing on increasing the pipeline with outreach and mentorship programs.
Partnering with more organizations, mobilizing other existing committees within the Society, and engaging our communities will help realize our goals.
- Rosenkranz KM, Arora TK, Termuhlen PM, et al. Diversity, equity and inclusion in medicine: why it matters and how do we achieve it?. J Surg Educ. 2021;78(4):1058-1065.
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