PAEA Building Foundation for DEI Programming
The 2022 Education Forum was filled with many forward-looking events. One of the most noteworthy was a special “DEI Meet and Greet” session which focused exclusively on uniting PAEA members and staff around a shared interest in advancing justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in PA education.
The session was led by Emma Sellers, PAEA’s Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, who provided an overview of the Association’s internal work to advance DEI. This work is seen in PAEA’s initiatives to hear directly from PA faculty, staff, and students underrepresented in medicine (URiM), the Reading Between the Lines Book Club, and most recently, the Student and Faculty/Staff Anti-Racism Town Halls.
Sellers also shared a snapshot of plans under consideration for the upcoming year – all of which are based on input from members. In response to member feedback expressing interest in more faculty development opportunities, we are exploring ways to leverage the experience and expertise of seasoned faculty to increase development and mentorship at all stages of the PA educator career path.
Watch for expanded opportunities to advance DEI initiatives at PA programs across the country as we develop new volunteer opportunities and ways to get involved. PAEA would like to thank everyone who attended the DEI Meet and Greet. Your passion, enthusiasm, and insights have laid the foundation for PAEA’s new DEI agenda, and we are excited to continue making progress toward these goals as we work toward our vision of Health for All.
