Pediatric resident receives diversity award

UC Davis pediatrics resident Ivan Marquez has been named the recipient of the 2^nd annual Dr. Ifeanyi Onyeji Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Award. The honor is presented by the Resident Medical Staff Committee, the Office of Graduate Medical Education (GME) and the Office of Student and Resident Diversity (OSRD).

Marquez is a member of the Pediatrics Committee on Departmental Diversity and Pediatric Health Equity and has helped lead pediatric trainee support group meetings around EDI. He has spoken to community groups and given interviews to Spanish-language television and radio about health topics such as COVID-19. He also co-led a morning report with his wife, Clarisa Reyes-Becerra, a lawyer with the California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation, on immigrant health, health policy and law. Marquez has received departmental awards for his advocacy, primary care, and overall academic achievement.

Nominations for the Dr. Ifeanyi Onyeji Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Award were evaluated by a committee of deans and directors from the GME and OSRD in the following categories:

• engagement in the recruitment of trainees from backgrounds that are underrepresented
• enhancement of the medical education of URM medical students and trainees, curriculum development in anti-racism, discrimination, or bias
• advocacy efforts and awareness of sociopolitical injustices
• direct, concerted involvement in improving the health outcomes of underserved communities through clinical and/or community-based engagement along with notable equity, diversity and inclusion efforts

Dr. Marquez excelled in every area in which nominations were evaluated. To do so in the context of a pandemic is remarkable for most, but not surprising for him.” —Erik Fernandez y Garcia

“Dr. Marquez excelled in every area in which nominations were evaluated. To do so in the context of a pandemic is remarkable for most, but not surprising for him,” said Erik Fernandez y Garcia, director for diversity in the Office of Graduate Medical Education and associate professor of clinical pediatrics. “Any health system would be lucky to have him.”

This EDI award honors the legacy of Ifeanyi Onyeji, whose life was marked by a passion for equity, diversity and inclusion. Onyeji was a bright light in the UC Davis Health trainee community. He was a rising chief resident in the Department of Urology, and his leadership and mentorship in the urologic community is honored by Urology Unbound, an organization focused on increasing diversity in urology. Onyeji was a foundational member of the Black Resident Organization (BRO) and provided excellent care to diverse patient populations.