DEI LAB

Celebrating DEI at the Annual Assembly of Hospice and Palliative Care

Heather A. Harris, MD FAAHPM, and Sonia Malhotra, MD MS FAAP

After 3 long years of connecting via Zoom, we were so excited to meet in Montréal in person this year at the Annual Assembly of Hospice and Palliative Care. This year’s meeting included plenty of opportunities for celebrating, embracing, and learning about justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion with our peers. This year’s DEI activities included the following:

DEI Pre-Conference Workshop

On Wednesday, March 22, we helped to kick off the assembly with ACTION: Anti-Racism Conversations and Thoughts in Our Neighborhoods, a 4-hour session led by seven faculty, including members of the AAHPM DEI Committee. This interactive session explored racial identity development and encouraged participants’ thoughts about their own identity and how it differs from that of the people they care for.

The conversation expanded with scenarios about cultural and religious humility and allyship. Participants learned how to exercise allyship as an active practice of utilizing positions of privilege and power to operate in solidarity with marginalized communities.

The seven faculty members who led ACTION: Anti-Racism Conversations and Thoughts in Our Neighborhoods are (from lef t) Corey Tapper, MD MS; Aziz Ansari, DO SFHM FACP FAAHPM; Heather Harris, MD FAAHPM; Sonia Malhotra, MD MS FAAP FAAHPM; Ruth Thomson, DO MBA HMDC FACOI FAAHPM; Arshia Madni, MD FAAP; and Shellie Williams, MD FAAHPM.

Participants also learned practical strategies and tools to dissect conversations with diverse patients and families, with colleagues, and even within their neighborhoods. The session included facilitator-guided experiential learning within small groups using videos, role-play, and discussions.

Attendees shared racism they experienced growing up in their own communities and its impact on them. Data outlining structural racism and race inequities were leveraged to demonstrate the imperative to address issues of race while also addressing one’s own racial identity development. Intentionally recognizing, evaluating, and addressing implicit biases, practicing cultural humility, and developing allyship were demonstrated as strategies that can promote access to high-quality, patient-centered, and more equitable care.

The session also explored transectionality, provided information about gender and sexual identity development, and focused on inclusion within the LGBTQ+ community. Faculty discussed how misgendering causes significant harm and can lead to gender dysphoria and worse. This segment helped to explain why affirming practices are vital.

The faculty did an outstanding job of creating an environment that focused on identifying, learning, and being empathetic to issues that are racially motivated. They explored ways to be an ally and provided useful tips for putting allyship into action.

DEI-Focused Sessions

Attendees at the 2023 Annual Assembly of Hospice and Palliative Care participated in more than 30 DEI-focused educational sessions throughout the conference. View the DEI educational track list.

DEI Homerooms

DEI Homerooms are new networking sessions that enabled attendees to meet with faculty and peers to reflect and discuss DEI track sessions presented that day. Participants shared “Aha!” and “Oh no!” moments from the day’s sessions, actions steps needed to advance what they learned, and more. Attendees could participate in the DEI Homerooms in person or virtually on Thursday, March 23, and Friday, March 24.

These sessions were well received, and attendees recommended hosting them again next year. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer faculty member for the 2024 DEI Homerooms, please contact Linda Sterling, DEI and membership engagement manager, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Observing Ramadan

Prayer Room

The Annual Assembly was held during Ramadan. In observance, we provided a dedicated room for prayer and reflection that was open to all. The room also served as a meditation room for individuals with other religious backgrounds or for anyone seeking space to reflect or pray. Disposable prayer mats were provided, and signage included a link to learn more about Ramadan.

Acknowledgement

Dr. Arshia Madni, chair of the AAHPM East and South Asian Professionals, Patients, and Families in HPM Forum, delivered remarks from the podium at the end of Thursday’s keynote session. She acknowledged our Muslim colleagues and friends observing Ramadan and provided an explanation of Ramadan and how it is observed.

The Breaking Fast with your Muslim Colleagues During Ramadan reception brought together Annual Assembly attendees on Thursday, March 23.

DEI Reception

On Thursday, March 23, the AAHPM DEI Committee and Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association hosted more than 50 guests from 7-8 pm for a Breaking Fast with Your Muslim Colleagues During Ramadan reception. This event focused on celebrating and embracing all our differences, backgrounds, and what makes us unique. Guests enjoyed a “getting to know you” bingo game, delicious halal appetizers, good music, drinks, and a lot of fun and laughter!

Community Meetings

Four identity-based AAHPM communities held in-person meetings at lunch time on Thursday, March 23, to discuss goals and activities for the year. Participating forums included

• Black Professionals, Patients, and Families in HPM Forum
• East and South Asian Professionals, Patients, and Families in HPM Forum
• Latinos Professionals, Patients, and Families in HPM Forum
• LGBTQI+ Special Interest Group

These were the groups’ first in-person meetings since 2019, and they were very well attended and full of rich conversation and engagement.

Heather A. Harris, MD FAAHPM, and Sonia Malhotra, MD MS FAAP, are the 2023 AAHPM DEI Committee chairs.

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