UAB Department of Neurosurgery Assistant Professors Nicole Bentley, M.D. (left), and Jianmei Wu Leavenworth, M.D., Ph.D. (right), will serve as a diversity liaisons to the UAB School of Medicine Office for Diversity and Inclusion (ODI).

Each department in the UAB Heersink School of Medicine provides a diversity liaison, or multiple liaisons, for the ODI. These liaisons can quickly and efficiently communicate needs, concerns and goals to the ODI. As liaisons for the Department of Neurosurgery, Leavenworth and Bentley recognize their role in connecting the Department and the ODI, facilitating communications for any concerns, events, or new initiatives, with the help of the Department of Neurosurgery Program Manager II Reginald Young, who will serve as administrative coordinator.

“We are focused on developing department-wide intention to incorporate diversity, equity and inclusion in all aspects of work, particularly research, mentoring and clinical service,” said Leavenworth. “I believe that these efforts will have a positive impact across the Department of Neurosurgery.

As part of their first efforts in the new positions, Leavenworth, Bentley and Young are updating and expanding the five-year diversity plan for the Department, which will complement its existing commitment to diversity: “The Department of Neurosurgery believes that a diverse community of faculty and learners is essential to fulfilling our mission and vision.”

“I am looking forward to expanding on the department’s ongoing diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives,” said Bentley. “It has always been a priority for the department, and it is wonderful to have a platform to build a more robust recruiting pipeline, increase outlets for underrepresented groups and use diverse voices to continuously improve.”

Click here to learn more about the diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts of the Department of Neurosurgery.