Plan to Enhance Diversity
Project Summary
Karmanos Cancer Institute has a long history of commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) to best serve the communities in the 46 counties where Karmanos patients live. This effort has flourished over the last few years for many reasons. Karmanos is the only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in metro Detroit. In 2020, after the killing of George Floyd, efforts to improve all aspects of DEI work, especially in community engagement, education, research, and health care, accelerated in the cancer center and with Karmanos’ partnering institutions, McLaren Health Care and Wayne State University (WSU). Part of these efforts led to increased and enhanced dialog with all stakeholders, especially the communities in our catchment areas, led by Karmanos’ Office of Community Outreach and Engagement.
The Karmanos DEI committee was formed in October 2020 to ensure Karmanos “delivers outstanding and equitable medical care to the patients we serve and provide a welcoming and supportive environment for staff members.” The Office of Cancer Research Training and Coordination (CRTEC) supported and required trainees to participate in the Health Equity Book Club, which created dialogue around exposing and gaining an understanding of the impact of racism on the history and current practice of medicine. Participants of this book club included Karmanos health professionals, staff, trainees, and community members.
The Plan to Enhance Diversity by the NCI Cancer Center Support Grant was also birthed around this time to address the disparities that exist surrounding the nation’s cancer burden and gaps in training, research and the cancer workforce among certain historically marginalized racial, ethnic, geographic, sex, gender, and socioeconomic populations. Karmanos appointed Latonya Riddle-Jones, M.D., MPH, as the inaugural associate center director for DEI in January 2023. Dr. Riddle-Jones is currently developing the Karmanos Office of DEI with office coordinator Riham Ayoub, MPH, who joined Karmanos in February 2024. The Karmanos DEI Office, in partnership with McLaren Health Care and WSU, will service teams of faculty researchers, leadership, students, trainees, advisors, and cancer center members with these specific aims in the graphic below:
Events and Programs
Karmanos Cancer Institute participates in the Cancer Center DEI Network. This network was formed in 2021 in response to the new Plan to Enhance Diversity component of the CCSG. The network has more than 280 members, with leaders from all NCI-designated cancer centers represented. This group meets monthly to share best practices related to the development and execution of effective Plans to Enhance Diversity (PED). They cover high interest content related to trainee, faculty, and leadership recruitment and retention; mechanisms for tracking and reporting key diversity, equity, and inclusion metrics; navigating institutional policy changes; and advancing an institutional climate and culture of inclusive excellence.
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Medical Mentors Pathway Program: Students Shadowing Karmanos/Wayne State University Physicians
Karmanos joins Wayne State University for the Medical Mentors Pathway Pipeline Program (M2P2). This program typically runs from the beginning of July through August. Applications must be submitted with two letters of recommendation and a 250-word essay. This intensive six-week summer program is designed for aspiring physicians in 12th grade (graduating seniors) through junior year in college. Through hands-on rotations in various specialties, they will gain firsthand experience alongside attending physicians, residents, and other health care professionals. Participating students will have a rotation in hematology oncology, radiation oncology, and potentially more areas of cancer care at Karmanos. Students will also take part in interactive learning sessions and complete essential assignments, building a solid foundation for a future medical career. M2P2 equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed. Please visit the link below for the application and more information.
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Michigan Area Health Education Center (MI-AHEC)
The Michigan Area Health Education Center (MI-AHEC) was established in 2010 to improve access to primary care for all Michigan residents, many of whom live in areas that have too few health professionals. Through recruitment and retention initiatives, as well as special clinical education programs, MI-AHEC seeks to expose disadvantaged students to health care opportunities, expand the number of underrepresented minorities in the health professions, and encourage students and health professionals to work in areas that need greater access to primary care providers. The national AHEC program was created by Congress in 1971.
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DEI Participation Form
If you are a Karmanos employee, help us track your involvement in DEI activities and events! We recognize that many of you are already actively participating in events to enhance your understanding of DEI in cancer care, improve patient environments, and refine research practices. Our goal with this form is to encourage even greater engagement in DEI trainings and to further expand DEI knowledge throughout Karmanos. Please bookmark the link below and remember to complete the form each time you attend a DEI activity or event. We appreciate your commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion.
DEI Participation Form
AAMC & AMA Guide to Health Equity Language, Narratives and Concepts
Contact Us
Email: deioffice@karmanos.org
Our Staff