title: White Paper: SSAT Commitment to Workforce Diversity and Healthcare Disparities.
abstract: The Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Track (SSAT) is committed to diversity and inclusiveness of its membership, promotion of research related to healthcare disparities, cultural competency of practicing gastrointestinal surgeons, and cultivation of leaders with unique perspectives. The SSAT convened a task force to assess the current state of diversity and inclusion and recommend sustainable initiatives to promote these goals. Working through the current committee structure of the Society, and by establishing a permanent Diversity and Inclusion liaison committee, the SSAT will maintain its commitment and strive towards diversity of thought and inclusiveness on every level to improve the well-being and betterment of its membership and the patients they serve.
authors.affiliation: Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Desk A100, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA. walshm@ccf.org.
authors.forename: R Matthew
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.affiliation: Methodist Hospital, Dallas, TX, USA.
authors.forename: D Rohan
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Jeyarajah
authors.affiliation: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Jeffrey B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Matthews
authors.affiliation: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Dana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Telem
authors.affiliation: Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Mary T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Hawn
authors.affiliation: Weill Cornell Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Michelassi
authors.affiliation: Mayo Clinic, Rochester, NY, USA.
authors.forename: K Marie
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Reid-Lomardo
mesh_terms: D054521:Cultural Competency / Q000458:organization & administration; D018864:Cultural Diversity; D005762:Gastroenterology / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D006280:Health Workforce / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D054625:Healthcare Disparities / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D013043:Specialties, Surgical / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*
keywords: Bisexual and transgender; Cultural competence; Diversity; Gay; Lesbian; Minorities; Surgical workforce; Underserved populations; Workforce diversity