Adopting DEIA Initiatives: Impact on Training and Culture in Pediatric Academia

Objective: The Center for Biobehavioral Health (CBH) at Nationwide Children’s Hospital (NCH) is a research center with approximately 75 trainees, permanent staff, and faculty. Since 2020, CBH has integrated diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) programming with participation of employees across all training and career levels. The aim of this paper was to analyze DEIA survey data over three timepoints (2020, 2022, and 2023) to examine areas of growth, consistency, and decline. Methods: All CBH employees were emailed a survey in 2020, 2022, and 2023. Participation was anonymous and voluntary. Participation rates varied, with 46, 26, and 36 employees completing the survey in 2020, 2022, and 2023, respectively. The surveys included items examining views about CBH’s DEIA programming, personal DEIA workplace experiences, and CBH’s inclusion of different groups. Results: Over time, respondents increasingly: viewed CBH as a model for diversity and inclusion in the workplace (programming); were satisfied with their access to diversity and inclusion training opportunities at work (programming); felt more comfortable discussing race, discrimination, and social justice at work (experiences); and reported increases in the inclusion of people of different gender identities and sexual orientations (inclusion). Respondents viewed declines in CBH’s inclusion of people with disabilities (inclusion). All other survey responses remained consistent from 2020 to 2023. Conclusions: DEIA efforts by CBH employees may promote a more inclusive and welcoming work environment. Ensuring the longevity of DEIA initiatives, adapting efforts based on employee feedback, and addressing unmet needs should continue to be areas of focus for CBH and other training institutions.