Great minds think differently. If there was a unifying idea expressed by speakers at the Department of Medicines first diversity and inclusion week, it was probably that.

Hannah Valantine, MD, of the National Institutes of Health, said it first, when she opened the Jan. 29 sessions with her grand rounds presentation. Sonia Aranza, a global diversity and inclusion strategist, echoed these words when she spoke on multigenerational diversity later that day.

Both women, along with various other speakers, sought to challenge conventional wisdom about diversity, including the idea that representation and hiring diverse candidates is enough. Instead, they pushed the idea that, as Aranza put it, diversity just is, and the real challenge is making inclusion work, particularly at the institutional level.

The week, which began with a meeting of faculty on Jan. 27 and continued through a meditation session on Jan. 30, was designed to provide both faculty and staff in the department with opportunities to discuss diversity and inclusion. The faculty meeting also introduced the inaugural Department of Medicine Chair Diversity Investigator Awards four grants of $50,000 each that will go to instructors, clinical instructors, or assistant professors focused on research about diversity and disparity.

In her talk, Valantine, a former Stanford professor of cardiovascular medicine who now runs the NIHs scientific workforce diversity initiative, said individual approaches to diversity and inclusion are not enough.

Institutional transformation is crucial, and tools need to be developed for helping people.Diversity needs to be linked to our institutional values and reward systems, she said. She assured her audience that a diverse talent pool exists, and that they would find it if they looked, adding that diversity in leadership can promote diversity and representation at various institutional levels.

One encouraging sign? The Stanford School of Medicine leads its peers in the representation of women among department chairs: In 2018, 37% of the schools departments were led by women.

Investing in diversity is worthwhile, she said. Among other things, it leads to greater innovation and a broadening scope of inquiry, particularly into things like health disparities.

But all is not rosy. Stereotypes continue to plague science, Valantine said. For example,she cited a study in which more feminine looking women were assumed less likely to be scientists.

Following Valantines talk, Aranza gave a presentation on the multigenerational workplace, and Peter Poullos, MD, clinical associate professor of radiology, discussed disability.

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At Department of Medicine's diversity and inclusion week, challenging conventional wisdom - Stanford Medical Center Report