About DEI at Georgetown Lombardi

Overview

Our Vision

The overall vision of the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Plan is to create and sustain diversity within a culture of equity and inclusive excellence.

Georgetown Lombardi will implement and evaluate strategies to

• Increase diversity of trainees, members, and the research workforce,
• Enhance equitable participation
• Promote inclusion and leadership by individuals who are from backgrounds underrepresented in cancer research.

Georgetown Lombardi Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) builds on attention to social justice and diversity, equity, and inclusion within Georgetown University, Hackensack Meridian Health, and MedStar Health. We have aligned the DEI specific aims with values held across the cancer center.

DEI Efforts at Georgetown Lombardi

Georgetown University’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center is the only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in the District of Columbia.

Georgetown Lombardi’s vision is to:

• impact the patients we serve in the Washington DC metropolitan area and New Jersey, the nation, and beyond by pushing scientific knowledge, creativity, and application
• Serve all with compassion, equity and respect
• Prepare individuals who will devote themselves to reducing the severity of cancer on the individual, family, and community through improved access to care.

Louis Weiner, MD, has led Georgetown since 2008 and has developed a visionary Strategic Plan for the cancer center that emphasizes transdisciplinary collaboration and community impact around five unifying themes, among them Organization, Resources and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.

Following the 2021-2026 Strategic Plan, Georgetown Lombardi established a DEI Office under the new Associate Director for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Kristi Graves, PhD. Graves is an accomplished cancer population scientist who serves as the GUMC Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs, with an emphasis on fostering diversity at Georgetown University Medical Center.

Georgetown Lombardi is investing annually to support cancer-focused plans to enhance its diversity by monitoring efforts, providing support to Georgetown Lombardi search committee activities, and recruitment and mentorship of early-stage diverse members and trainees.

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:

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

Enhance equitable and active participation in cancer research

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

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.

Aim 3

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

DEI Collaboration Across Georgetown Lombardi

Lombardi DEI supports efforts across the cancer center:

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:

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, MA
DEI Senior Manager

Lauren Massie
DEI Intern
Senior Student, Georgetown University, Healthcare Management and Policy