Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Working to increase diversity within Georgetown University’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center and create and sustain a culture of equity and inclusive excellence

DEI Guiding Values

Diversity, equity and inclusion at Georgetown Lombardi are guided by Georgetown University, MedStar Health, and Hackensack Meridian Health values: 

Care of the whole person

Community in diversity

Lifelong learning

Humility in service

DEI Goals

Diversity, equity and inclusion at Georgetown Lombardi will evaluate, develop and implement strategies to:

Seven people wearing white lab coats stand together in the lobby of the cancer center

Increase diversity of trainees, members, and the cancer research workforce

A man works under a vent hood in a lab

Enhance equitable and active participation in cancer research

DEI-faculty-16-9

Promote inclusion and foster leadership by individuals from backgrounds underrepresented in cancer leadership

DEI Specific Aims

Aim 1

Collect and evaluate diversity metrics and improve infrastructure to recruit, retain, and track trainees and members from groups underrepresented in science and cancer research

  • Collect data on 100% of Georgetown Lombardi committees, working groups, and advisory committees
  • Maintain Lombardi DEI Dashboard
  • Train 100% of search committees
  • Develop, administer, and monitor scores on DEI Cultural Climate Surveys

Aim 2

Foster a culture of inclusion and active participation in cancer research for women and individuals from groups underrepresented in research to retain talent and advance professional careers for all.

  • Co-sponsor training fellowships and inclusive mentor training
  • Implement annual workshops
  • Increase membership in mentoring cohorts by 30%
  • Host Annual DEI Retreat, give three awards (trainees, staff, faculty)
  • Support pilot and booster funding projects

Aim 3

Support intentional leadership development and advancement by women and individuals underrepresented in cancer leadership.

  • Provide leadership coaching to 16 members/year
  • Host two trainings/year on inclusive leadership best practices
  • Host four meetings of early career members and leadership
  • Include value of DEI in promotion policies

DEI Collaboration Across Georgetown Lombardi

Lombardi DEI supports efforts across the cancer center:

Cancer Research Training and Education Coordination (CRTEC)

  • Provide inclusive mentor training
  • Contribute to the review of applications for training and pilot funding opportunities
  • Co-sponsor pathway programs
  • Coordinate collection of metrics for tracking trainees

Community Outreach and Engagement (COE)

  • Training of COE staff on cultural awareness
  • Elicit feedback on DEI Aims by Community Advisory Council
  • Promote diversity of COE staff and Community Advisory Council
  • Help prepare trainees and early career investigators for community rotations

Georgetown Lombardi Research Programs

  • Foster professional development of early career faculty support
  • Promote best practices for inclusive hiring
  • Provide stipends for trainees from backgrounds underrepresented in cancer research
  • Elicit feedback from DEI Advisory Council Program Liaisons

Georgetown Lombardi Leadership

  • Ensure DEI remains part of Georgetown Lombardi Strategic Plan
  • Highlight value and visibility of diversity as a strategic imperative
  • Offer skill-building for inclusive leadership
  • Promote leadership development skills among individuals underrepresented in cancer center leadership

Institutional Support for DEI

Diversity, equity and inclusion at Georgetown Lombardi benefits from and leverages institutional engagement resources and DEI efforts across Georgetown University, Hackensack Meridian Health, and MedStar Health:

  • Team Member Resource Groups
  • Ranked No. 1 in U.S. on 2023 Diversity Inc. Top Hospitals and Health Systems
  • HBCUConnect
  • AHA Equity Road Map
  • Collaboration with Student Opportunity Center
  • Transformation Action Plans

  • Established system-level Equity, Inclusion & Diversity Steering Committee
  • Established Local Entity Councils
  • Working Group for Racial Justice
  • Department-Level Equity, Inclusion & Diversity Strategic Plans
  • Annual  Equity, Inclusion & Diversity Cultural Climate Surveys

DEI Personnel

Kristi Graves, PhD
Associate Director (AD) for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Associate Professor, Cancer Prevention and Control Program
Associate Dean for Faculty Development, Georgetown University Medical Center

Larisa Caicedo

Larisa Caicedo, MA
DEI Senior Manager

For questions and inquiries please email: LombardiDEI@georgetown.edu