Opportunity Details

Department of Orthopedic Surgery

Orthopaedic Surgery

Clinician

Commensurate w/Experience

Director of Cultural Awareness and Diversity

The Director of Cultural Awareness and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion will oversee the diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in the Department. These initiatives help develop a strong culture of collaboration, communication, and respect, and create a sense of belonging for faculty, trainees, and staff members. This position reports to the Department Chair.  A minimum of 75% effort will be dedicated to activities specifically related to Department diversity efforts.  


This Director will work with and oversee the Department’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Engagement Coordinator, and will chair the Department’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. 

This position will work closely with Department leaders – and in collaboration and alignment with Washington University’s Office of Diversity Equity and Inclusion – to develop a Department DEI strategic plan, creating actionable change strategies and progress in important DEI initiatives, including:
Recruitment and retention
Culture
DE&I research and scholarship
Community impact and outreach 
Clinical health equity
Women in orthopedics
Employee engagement

Responsibilities
Work within each of the divisions to help each understand the current state of incorporating diversity into their programs. 
Through collaborative discussions and stay interviews, work with junior faculty members, particularly around career development, while gaining understanding of perceptions of the institution.
Help coordinate an external advisory board of nationally prominent DEI figures within the field of orthopedic surgery, using recommendations from the board as a springboard for continued action. 
Foster and maintain connections with WUSM’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Danforth Campus’s Academy of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. 
Foster and maintain connections with orthopaedic surgery’s national organizations, including the J. Robert Gladden Society, which represents URiM orthopaedic surgeons across the United States, and the Ruth Jackson Society, which represents women in the field of orthopaedics.
Implement internal education programs, including BRIM and other DEI trainings, across the Department’s teams. 
Help create metrics to measure success; track and report on progress of initiatives.


  • Medical degree; or PhD in biosciences, engineering, psychology, public health, social work, sociology, human resources, or related field.
  • Minimum three years of experience managing and facilitating diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in an organization.
  • Demonstrated evidence of contributing to the advancement of diversity, equity, and inclusion goals within an organization.

Please email a letter of interest and curriculum vitae to:

Karen Starks, Assistant to:  Regis O’Keefe, MD, PhD - Chair, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
Fred C. Reynolds Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery
314-747-8414 | karen.starks@wustl.edu

Karen Starks

karen.starks@wustl.edu

314-747-8414

1/27/2023

4/17/2023

An Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity and affirmative action. It is the university’s policy to recruit, hire, train, and promote persons in all job titles without regard to race, color, age, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, veteran status, disability, or genetic information. Washington University seeks an exceptionally qualified and diverse faculty; women, minorities, protected veterans and candidates with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

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