The ISA Committee on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion has announced the award of a $1,500 grant to Eseosa (Sosa) Aiwerioghene, MS4 for his proposal for “Mentoring the Next Generation URiM Anesthesiologists”. Mr Aiwerioghene is a fourth year medical student studying at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. In his proposal, Mr. Aiwerioghene sets out how he intends to motivate young under-represented minorities in middle school and high school to consider medicine and Anesthesiology as a career choice. A summary of his proposal is reprinted below. Congratulations to Mr. Aiwerioghene! The DE&I Committee wishes him the best of luck in realizing this worthy goal.
The DE&I Committee would like to thank everyone who submitted an application for the 2021 grant and encourages all to participate again next year.
Eseosa (Sosa) Aiwerioghene, MS4
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Research Grant
2021 Award Recipient
Eseosa (Sosa) Aiwerioghene, MS4
Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine
Mentoring the Next Generation URiM Anesthesiologists
Toledo et al reported in Anesthesia and Analgesia that “underrepresented minorities comprised 6.0% of the ASA leadership, 8.6% of the anesthesia workforce, 8.9% of the national medical workforce compared to 32% of the national population”. Recognizing the prevalence of health care disparities and the importance of diversity in medicine, we should be more intentional about increasing diversity in medical schools, in the Anesthesiology workforce and consequently within the ASA leadership.
Project Objectives
- To capture interest early in the health professions.
- To educate students about health care disparities, micro aggressions, and ways to solve them.
- Introduce students to role models in medicine including Anesthesiology medical faculty, residents and students in Chicago and neighboring cities.
- Provide students with skills, tools and resources necessary to navigate the educational path from high school to a professional degree.
* Under Represented in Medicine
The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Research Grant, initiated in 2021, invites medical students, residents and fellows to apply for one of two $1,500 research grants, to be provided annually to advance the development of new knowledge and policy that increases diversity, equity and inclusion in medical education/training.
Funding is intended for a project duration of up to one (1) year. Project funding may be used for any of the following: Focus groups or surveys; Data analysis (local or national) to better understand the problem; Small pilot projects; Literature searches for evidence and guidance to support holistic selection; Creating tools to provide guidance to residency programs; or other projects that will achieve the goals of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the residency selection process and transition to residency.