Department of Surgery

  1. Baylor College of Medicine
  2. Departments
  3. Surgery
  4. Equity and Engagement

Department of Equity and Engagement

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Our Commitment

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Equity and Engagement Team

The Equity and Engagement Team was formed to improve the culture and climate of social equity by addressing biases and to learn the factors that perpetuate inequity. The members of this committee are dedicated to fostering a transformative culture of equity and engagement to create an environment powered for optimal education, research and clinical excellence in surgery. 

Through education and prevention, the committee will support the department by bringing together people from different backgrounds to enrich the academic environment so that all are able to achieve their academic and professional goals. We will ensure equity in the hiring, professional development, promotion, retention, participation in department activities, and support of women and underrepresented faculty, staff and learners. The committee is dedicated to eliminating all forms of bias and discrimination and elevating social consciousness and cultural competence.

Staff Council

The Staff Council's purpose is to support, represent, and serve the staff in the Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery. The Staff Council will work collaboratively with Department of Surgery leadership and divisions to implement and optimize staff development and culture. The Staff Council is also an arena for networking and mentoring, as well as policy and procedure optimization.  

Scope of Work:

  • Forum for discussion and solution development of issues relevant to department staff
  • Mentoring network for staff 
  • Spotlighting successful models to stimulate ideas and discussion of best practices
  • Support the onboarding and professional development practices for all department staff

Our inclusion initiatives have expanded the equity and engagement in the department. During the time frame of 2012 to 2022, 75% of our faculty recruits have been women and underrepresented minorities.

Outreach and Inclusion Committee
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Our Institution

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Baylor College of Medicine is a world-class research institution and academic center situated in the heart of the Texas Medical Center. The Office of Community Engagement & Health Equity has programming, which all can participate in. 

Learn More About Equity At Baylor
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Surgery Equity and Engagement Team

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The Department of Surgery has designated faculty and staff inclusion ambassadors who lead the department’s efforts.

If you have questions or would like to get involved with the Department of Surgery's Equity and Engagement initiatives and activities contact our ambassadors below. 

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Michele Loor, M.D.
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Associate Professor of Surgery
Vice-Chair, Equity and Engagement
Chair, Equity and Engagement Committee
Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery
Baylor College of Medicine

Ashley Benning
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Administrator, Equity and Engagement Committee
Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery
Equity and Engagement Ambassador
Baylor College of Medicine

Christy Yoon-Hee Chai, M.D.
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Equity and Engagement Ambassador
Associate Professor of Surgery
Baylor College of Medicine

Ronnetta Etter, M.B.A.
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Equity and Engagement Ambassador
Baylor College of Medicine

Holly Shilstone
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Equity and Engagement Ambassador
Baylor College of Medicine

Crystal Shin, Ph.D.
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Member, Inclusion Excellence Council
Baylor College of Medicine
Assistant Professor of Surgery
Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery

John Goss, M.D.
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Chair, FAP Committee
Professor and Chief, Division of Abdominal Transplantation
Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery
Baylor College of Medicine

Samer Mattar, M.D.
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Program Director, General Surgery Residency - Mentorship
Professor and Chief, Division of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery
Baylor College of Medicine

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Highlighting Baylor's Equity and Engagement

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Baylor promotes a culture where all people are welcome. Our faculty, staff and students describe what equity means to them in the workplace, in science and medicine and on a personal level.

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Race and Implicit Bias

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A Conversation to Start a Dialogue with guest presenter Robbie Tolan as a part of a meeting held by the Department of Surgery in collaboration with the Office of Community Engagement & Health Equity at Baylor College of Medicine.

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Pride Celebration

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Pride Month serves as an important reminder that Baylor College of Medicine is committed to fostering a supportive environment for all community members, including LGBTQ+ faculty, staff and trainees.