Gender Equity Initiative | LCOM Office of Inclusive Excellence | The University of Vermont(title)

The Gender Equity Initiative seeks to increase the representation, advancement, and workplace satisfaction of women and non-binary people at the Larner College of Medicine.

We understand that “gender equity” is not a “woman’s issue.” It affects everyone in our work environment, and all voices are necessary to achieve our goals. We understand that inclusive and equitable teams stimulate and propel our work in medicine and science and know that structural and cultural barriers exist that impede advancement based on gender. Through education, recognition of achievements, and advocacy, the Gender Equity Initiative seeks to foster a safe, equitable, and just work environment for the benefit of all community members.

Celebration of Gender Equity presentation

Gender Equity Education Series

Explore the distinguished lectures given in our Gender Equity Education Series that engage in diverse topics to cultivate understanding, empowerment, and actionable steps towards fostering a more inclusive and equitable future in medicine.

Explore our Gender Equity Education Series videos

Goals of the Gender Equity Initiative

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  • To promote equitable career advancement and professional development for women and non-binary faculty, staff and students
  • To assure that women and non-binary people attain senior faculty, staff ranks and leadership roles at LCOM.
  • To critically examine recruitment, retention and promotion of faculty and staff by gender
  • To review LCOM policies and benefits that affect gender equity (such as family leave, flexible work schedules, onsite childcare) and makes recommendations to increase family friendly policies at LCOM
  • To develop mentorship and networking opportunities for women and non-binary faculty, staff, and students
  • To bring awareness of the importance of gender equity and gender-based biases to the LCOM community
  • To assure that the LCOM environment is safe and free of gender harassment
  • To recognize outstanding achievements of LCOM women and non-binary faculty, staff, and students

Steering Committee and Working Groups

Steering Committee Members
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The Gender Equity Steering Committee guides the mission and goals of the Gender Equity Initiative. It is comprised of LCOM community members representing career stages from across clinical and basic science departments. The committee is intentionally diverse with members from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds as well as gender identities and sexual orientation. Working groups of additional faculty and staff that coalesce around a selection of the above goals report to GESC on a monthly basis.  

NameTitleDepartmentWorking Group
Anne Dougherty, MD, Chair Associate Professor,
Director for Gender Equity 
Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences 
Pam Gibson, MDProfessorPathologyEnvironment
Ramsey Herrington, MDChief, Emergency Medicine; Assistant ProfessorEmergency MedicineRecruitment
Sherrie KhadangaAssistant Professor, CardiologyMedicineRecruitment
Nathalie Feldman, MDAssociate Professor, Director of the Learning EnvironmentObstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive SciencesEnvironment
Katie Wells, MDAssistant ProfessorEmergency MedicineCommunity Outreach and Collaboration
Joanna Conant, MDAssistant ProfessorPathologyEducation
Leigh Ann Holterman, PhDAssistant Professor, Director, Students WellbeingOffice of Medical EducationEducation
James Stafford, PhDAssistant ProfessorNeurological SciencesEnvironment

 

Working Group Goals and Members
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Recruitment, Retention, Promotion, and Leadership Tracking

  • Collects and analyzes data on LCOM recruitment, retention and promotion (RPT) of women and gender minorities
  • Studies best practices for RPT of women and gender minorities and proposes strategies to enhance RPT of target population.
  • Works with administration to understand salary gender gap analysis
  • Tracks leadership positions and committee membership with respect to gender equity.
  • Studies best practices for increasing gender equity in leadership positions
  • Members: Ramsey Herrington, Sherrie Khandanga, Bridget Marroquin

Education and Professional Development

  • Organizes Gender Equity Education Series events throughout the year
  • Organizes Women in Medicine and Science Networking lunches
  • Monitors effectiveness of education events
  • Members: Jo Conant, Leigh Ann Holterman, Eileen Cichoski-Kelly, Jennifer Hall, Molly Barry

Environment

  • Reviews LCOM and UVM climate studies with respect to gender equity
  • Examines the physical LCOM environment with respect to gender equity and provides recommendations to leadership
  • Critically examines UVM gender harassment policy
  • Reviews LCOM policies and benefits that affect gender equity (such as family leave, flexible work schedules, onsite childcare) and makes recommendations to increase family friendly policies at LCOM
  • Members: Pam Gibson, Nathalie Feldman, James Stafford, Katie Devitt, Naomi Hodde

Community Outreach and Collaboration

  • Monitors committee and award nomination opportunities for women and non-binary community members
  • Formulates and juries annual “Celebration of Women in Medicine and Science” awards
  • Works with Office of Communications to publicize gender equity events
  • Seeks out opportunities to collaborate across LCOM and outside
  • Gathers regional and national conference/workshop opportunities relevant to gender equity
  • Members: Katie Wells
people sitting in conference room

Gender Equity Career Development Seminar

Designed specifically for women and gender-diverse faculty at Larner College of Medicine, at the assistant and associate professor ranks.

Learn more about the seminar