Dear AAES Members,
The AAES condemns racism and discrimination in all its forms. We stand with our Black medical students, residents, fellows, and members. We stand with the Black community here and across the world. In the flood of ongoing tragedies like the death of Mr. George Floyd and the stark differences in healthcare for racial and ethnic minorities laid bare by the COVID-19 pandemic, expressions of empathy are appropriate, but not enough. We will strive to forge a more equitable and compassionate healthcare system for everyone through our outreach to the communities we serve, mentorship of the next generation of endocrine surgeons, research into the sources of and solutions to healthcare disparities, and the continual embrace of the vibrant diversity of our membership. Last year’s Presidential Panel on Diversity began a critical discussion that we will continuously engage in, but we must do more. We must put words into action. To that end, we have started by creating the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee to:
- Create opportunities for individuals from underrepresented communities to pursue a career in Endocrine Surgery
- Promote members from underrepresented communities to positions of influence and leadership both inside and outside the AAES
- Nurture an environment of respect and inclusion for all
- Provide a safe forum to address concerns related to diversity
- Infuse the principles of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in all of the activities of the AAES
- Ensure that the policies of the AAES fully support the goals of diversity, equity, and inclusion regardless of one’s race, religion, culture, gender identity, or sexual orientation
- Develop a mechanism to foster and fund research into health disparities in Endocrine Surgery
In particular, the AAES recognizes that we must humbly learn from our members in the Black and Hispanic/Latino communities and will look to them to guide our path forward as the Chairs and members of this Committee. If you would like to self-nominate for this critical Committee, please follow this link: http://endocrinesurgery.org/DEI-Committee-Interest-Form.
We must do better. We will do better. We pledge to listen, learn, and help bend the arc toward justice for all.
Respectfully,
Allan Siperstein, President
Tom Fahey, President-Elect
Rich Hodin, Vice President
James Lee, Secretary
Tracy Wang, Treasurer
Paul Gauger, Recorder