Surgical excellence in action: The role of vice chair of diversity, equity, and inclusion in a department of surgery

Abstract

Despite the increase in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) roles, best practices around these positions have not been established broadly, with less information available for academic departments of surgery. The vice chair for DEI in a department of surgery is charged with embedding DEI as an integral component of all operational aspects of the department in keeping with the agreed-upon definition of surgical excellence. Given the dynamic nature of the DEI space, now more than ever inspirational leaders are needed to occupy these roles to transform the surgical environment into one inclusive of all.