UI Health Care leadership: DEI commitment remains firm

Dear Colleagues,

Since the University of Iowa’s response to Executive Order 13950 was published last Friday, we have been in many discussions with our students, faculty, and staff. We’d like to clarify a few things about the impact this order is having on University of Iowa Health Care’s diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.

UI Health Care is committed to continuing the significant work underway in understanding and improving diversity, equity, and inclusion. This work benefits not only our faculty, staff and students, but also our patients, now and into the future. It’s important work that remains a priority.

As an academic institution, we value expanding our knowledge through honest discourse, particularly around topics such as diversity and inclusion. We know that deeper discussions of the issues will only make us stronger as we strive for a more equitable workplace and society.

It’s important to know that the University Training Review Committee is currently reviewing employee training programs. UI Health Care is proceeding with all other DEI programming including educational courses. Our representatives on that committee, including Dr. Denise Martinez, associate dean for diversity, equity and inclusion, are advocating for expediency in the review, which should be complete by next week.

Finally, on this important point we want to be very clear: the UI Health Care Diversity Equity and Inclusion Task Force’s three subcommittee activities and the UI’s DEI action plan are proceeding according to the original timeline. We are proud of our Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; our LGBTQ program; our students who are committed to improving health equity for our patients; and all those within UI Health Care who remain dedicated to making our campus more inclusive and equitable.

We stand together, for all.

Brooks Jackson, MD, MBA
Vice President for Medical Affairs and the Tyrone D. Artz Dean, Carver College of Medicine

Pat Winokur, MD
Executive Dean, Carver College of Medicine

Suresh Gunasekaran, MBA
Chief Executive Officer, University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics
Associate Vice President, University of Iowa Health Care

Douglas Van Daele, MD
Executive Director, University of Iowa Physicians

Denise Martinez, MD
Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion