Linda Harris Answer 2
First, as a diverse member, selecting myself or someone who is similarly diverse, will demonstrate that the organization is truly serious about change. Change must come from the top. As a woman who started when there were only 5 women in academic vascular surgery, I personally experienced many barriers that are faced by diverse groups. Along those lines, I co-founded the Womens' Vascular Health Summit, pre-pandemic and pre-of which l am the inaugural president. This society is orking coller asly wisure sve as well as other national, international, regional, and multiple diverse organizations.
Allowing people a true voice is the most important method of ensuring representation. We need to reach out to all of the diverse groups and actively invite their participation. Bringing people to the table, having open discussions about controversial or uncomfortable topics, and identifying barriers, and possible solutions will have a major impact on ensuring representation. These discussions must be held in a diplomatic manner, allowing for the expression of all views, but without accusations and personal attacks. One of the current concerns of many of our members is feeling left out, or not understanding the decision-making process. Therefore, the conclusions from these meetings need to be adequately publicized, so that our constituents understand the reasoning behind the decisions. I do believe that we should continue to have at-large members on the EB. However, if we relegate diverse groups to ONLY at-large and not officer roles, we will lose our younger members, as this gives the impression that we are not valued equally. This includes ensuring that we always have representation from private practice, women, URM and other under-represented groups.
Clearly, we need people who have adequate experience and expertise. However, we have many well qualified individuals who are diverse. Now is the time for change.
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Palma Shaw - Answer 2
To address disparities inherent to our specialty and the Society, the SVS has already made many changes to committee composition and leadership representation with appointments of SVS Advisory Liaisons to the Executive Board demonstrating transparency in its actions to the membership. The current SVS leadership has been forward-thinking and should continue to expand minority representation in decision-making and leadership roles. As a female surgeon who trained in an environment where there were few like role models and a single mother of 2 who had to raise her children while working many long hours as a vascular surgeon, I am acutely aware of the need for understanding differences in people's genders, cultures, and circumstances. We must embrace differences and try to understand how to help support those who come from less privilege. Role modeling is important. We need to see people like us with whom we can identify in high-level positions. There is an urgency to this which relates to the younger generation of surgeons who are demanding a change.
We all need to work together as colleagues, be respectful of differences and help each other be the best surgeons that we can be for our patients. Patients respond better to a surgeon who looks like them and can understand their background and culture. Through increased clarity of these different perspectives, we can better address the work force shortages, and challenges in valuation and reimbursement. Hearing other's thoughts and opinions is necessary even when it challenges the status quo. As a small specialty, we face threats from other interventional specialties who erode our practices and promote themselves as the go-to Vascular Specialist. This ability to be more open minded will facilitate a more collaborative approach so we can better reach a common goal which is better delivery of care across vascular deserts. We will not have enough vascular surgeons to meet the growing demands for vascular care. Working with diverse groups such as Cardiology, Interventional Radiology, Nurse Practitioners, Vascular Nurses and Physician Assistants to form an effective Vascular Team can only happen with an enlightened more accepting mindset.
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