DEI champion: Quan Ly, MD

When the UNMC College of Medicine Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion was created in November 2020, Shirley Delair, MD, associate dean for DEI, met with department chairs from across the college about college DEI initiatives. One of the recommendations she made was that the departments appoint department DEI champions, who would work alongside the COM office of DEI to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

This month, Dr. Delair speaks with one of these champions: Quan Ly, MD, DEI vice chair of the UNMC Department of Surgery and the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center.

How do you see your role as a DEI department champion?

With worsening division in the world, my roles as vice chair of DEI for the UNMC Department of Surgery and, more recently, associate director of DEI for the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center allow me and my committee the opportunities to make a difference in our organization and state. 

Tell us about some of your accomplishments:

Shortly after my appointment as vice chair by David W. Mercer, MD, in January of 2021, we formed a committee that includes  faculty and staff representatives from multiple divisions, residents, as well as hospital staff. Together, we modified our surgery department’s mission statement and created a website to provide resources.

Over the past year, we have accomplished much on multiple fronts:

• Education: We had our first Grand Round in June of 2021, raising awareness of harassment experienced by our residents and faculty in the workplace. We also invited a speaker to discuss microaggression in the workplace at our cancer symposium. We worked to change the curriculum for the coming year — for the academic year 2022-23, we will have four grand rounds dedicated to DEI case discussions. These discussions will not only increase awareness of our own bias but teach attendees how to be active bystanders and make the organization more inclusive.
• Patient access: We also connected with the community-based health clinics to improve relationships and ultimately increased access to colonoscopies and mammographies to those who face challenges accessing these important procedures.
• Research: With my recent appointment as associate director of DEI for the cancer center, we also will encourage research looking at genetic diversity in disease risks as well as in response to treatments.

What’s ahead?

While we are proud of our accomplishments, there is more that we can do. Our goal for the next three years will be to have our organization’s patient population reflect that of our city.

Also, I would encourage everyone — faculty, trainees and staff — to take part in the DEI activities within your department as a committee member or as champion. Let’s join hands and change our world for the better.