The Inclusion, Diversity, Anti-Racism, and Equity (IDARE) initiative established in 2020 catalyzes a health system wide effort to advance the following goals outlined in the UC Davis Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategic Vision.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) committee taskforces achieve these goals by several means.  By appointing and empowering taskforces to assess efforts in critical DEI-impacting processes, such as hiring and promotion, we stimulate more attention, consideration, and accountability to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in those processes.  In other words, these taskforces help leaders, managers, and members of a department stay focused on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion goals. 

Why taskforces?

Diversity Taskforces Are Evidence-based Strategies. At the core of this initiative are the I-DARE taskforces, shown to be one of the most effective means for organizations to improve DEI in a study of over 800 firms in the US.

Studies have shown that more centralized oversight and management of DEI efforts can motivate decision makers to take more care to avoid the appearance of bias, which, in simulated hiring, has been shown to reduce bias. Additionally, taskforces, particularly those with representation from different sectors and diverse identity groups, help organizations make better informed decisions and generate more innovative strategies.


Betty Irene School of Nursing building

Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing I-DARE Taskforce Initiative Toolkit

Immediate needs, tools, evidence based strategies, roles and responsibilities, and support for the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing I-DARE Taskforces.

Download the toolkit

Education Building art

School of Medicine I-DARE Taskforce Initiative Toolkit

Immediate needs, tools, evidence based strategies, roles and responsibilities, and support for the School of Medicine I-DARE Taskforces.

Download the toolkit

Mission

To advance health and improve care for everyone. To do so, we — the faculty, staff and students of the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UC Davis — must reflect the communities we serve. We see one another as whole people and not simply as single aspects of our personhood. For us, diversity recognizes an infinite number and intersections of dimensions of identity. Inclusion is about how we nurture a culture where opportunities extend equitably to each member. We believe in equity for all — we strive to make our school a powerful example of societal change. As we learn and work together, compassion and humility fuel our innovation and connect us with our communities. We commit to regular reflection on how seriously and substantively we enact these principles on a daily basis, so each of us leads to turn the tide in our national discourse on race, equity and justice.


Terri Harvath, Ph.D., R.N., F.A.A.N., F.G.S.A.
Emily Sanson-Smith, MBA

Catherine D. Cansino, M.D.
Abigail Kaye, M.D.
Arielle Dumas, M.D.
Claudia Lopez, M.D.
Keyon Mitchell, M.D.
Obinna Oko, M.D.
Tali Pomerantz, M.D.
Nandini Nittur, M.D.
Zahabiya Chithiwala, M.D.
Roxana Mohhebali, M.D.
Bryn Wilson
Clara Paik, M.D.
Debra Wright, M.D.
Shannon McSmith

Bridget Wilson, M.S.N., R.N., FNP-BC, CNRN
Brenna Rizan, MSW, LCSW
Jessica Sisson, RN
Vanessa Kennedy, M.D.
Rachel Ruskin, M.D.
Amy George, M.D., FACOG
Melissa Chen, M.D., M.P.H.
Melissa Matulich, M.D., MAS
Susan Gorman, M.D.

Council Mission

The Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Council for Patient Care Services implements and maintains standards of nursing practice consistent with evidence-based practice. Aligning with the Principles of Community and the University of California Davis Health mission and vision, the DEI Council is committed to advancing the strategic goal of supporting diversity, equity and inclusion as being integral to the care of ourselves, our colleagues, and our patients and their families. The DEI Council will direct and facilitate the journey toward anti-racism. As stated in the Principles of Community, “We confront and reject all manifestations of discrimination, including those based on race, ethnicity, gender and gender expression, age, visible and non-visible disability, nationality, sexual orientation, citizenship status, veteran status, religious/non-religious, spiritual, or political beliefs, socio-economic class, status within or outside the university, or any of the other differences among people which have been excuses for misunderstanding, dissension or hatred.” We support learning that optimizes cultural humility, caring and compassion.

Read the council charter


Toby Marsh, R.N., M.S.A., M.S.N., F.A.C.H.E., N.E.A.-BC, Chief Patient Care Services, Sponsor
Carter Todd, R.N., M.S., CCRN, Chair
Kywaita Keys, R.N., B.S.N., Co-Chair
Aron King, R.N., B.S.N.
Calene Roseman, R.N., M.S.N.
Marcus Christian, CSPHA
Troy Taylor, Manager, Materials Management
Darrell Desmond, R.N., M.S.N., NE-BC
Floreece Johnson, R.N., B.S.N.
Greg Woods, R.N., B.S.N.
Theresa Pak, R.N., M.S., NEA BC
Annie Tat, R.N., M.S.
Arthur Hernandez, R.N., FNP


Cynthia Romero, R.N., B.S.N.
Joseph Reguindin, R.N., B.S.N., M.S.N.(c), CCRN, PHN
Kristina Balneg, R.N., B.S.N., M.S.N.(c), CCRN, PHN
Michelle Linenberger, M.S.N. Ed., R.N., CCRN-K, NPD-BC
Nicole Vance R.N., B.S.N.
Mercedes Piedra, M.S. Ed.D. (c)
Neil Oppenheimer, R.N., M.S., CCRN
Tyler Melhalff, R.N., B.S.N.

Erik Fernandez y Garcia, M.D.
Laura Kester, M.D.
Mikah Owens, M.D.

Pediatrics Committee on Departmental Diversity and Pediatric Health Equity

Mission

The Diversity Advisory Committee (DAC) explores and addresses the diversity needs of the UC Davis Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. DAC is comprised of residents, fellows, and faculty members interested in addressing issues of cultural psychiatry, diversity, and inclusion as it pertains to training, clinical services, and research. The group has multiple aims including cultural psychiatry curriculum development, enhancing cultural psychiatry research, recruiting underrepresented minority trainees and faculty, planning events to promote cultural psychiatry within and beyond the department, and providing support to students, residents, and faculty within the department.


Cultural Psychiatry Advisory Board

Ruth Shim, M.D., M.P.H.
Francis Liu, M.D., M.S.
Hendry Ton, M.D., M.S.
Shannon Suo, M.D.

Faculty Members

Ruth Shim, M.D., M.P.H.
Alan Koike, M.D.
Andres F Sciolla, M.D.
Huma Yasmin Attari, M.D.
J. Faye Dixon, Ph.D.
Karina Muro, M.D.
Khalima A. Bolden, Ph.D.
Ladson Hinton, M.D., B.A.
Laura Tully, Ph.D.
Lucy Sun, M.D.
Melissa D. Bauman, Ph.D.
Poh Choo (PC) How, M.D.
Puja L Chadha, M.D.
Rachel A Robitz, M.D.
Swati Rao, M.D.

Resident Members

Adaobi Nwabuo
Anokh S. Sohal
Barbara Ekeh
Bethel Araya Mesgana
Christina Marie Bourne
Collin D. Shumate
Erica Cassandra Smith
Genise Lynae Mcaskill
Hallie Jane Foster
Hammad Khan
Jacqueline Hsieh
Jasmine McClendon
Joseph M. Kim
Julie Wu
Kelsey Rae Wong
Rachel Beene Mitchell
Soe Hlaing Thein
Zola Afua Mansa
Chihombori Quao

Faculty Members

Olivia Campa, M.D.
Stephanie Sanchez, M.D.
Alicia Gonzalez-Flores, M.D.

Resident Members

Jorge Salazar, M.D, Chair