DEI Accomplishments

The following is a short list of accomplishments* based on key Fall 2023 survey priorities

1. Ensure health equity and access to care and testing
   
   • ADLM’s new mission statement (2024-2029 strategic plan) is "Better Health for All through Laboratory Medicine"
   • A key strategy in the 2024-2029 strategic plan, is to “apply the principles of DEI in programs and content to advance our mission of health equity” (Science and Practice Pillar)
     
     
2. Improve ways race and gender are used in testing
   
   • Development of resource articles, most recently the article Working towards fairness in peripartum drug screening and beyond article, published July/August CLN issue
   • Development of webinars: Navigating the role of race in clinical laboratories: An update on the use of race in clinical algorithms
   • Increased awareness of research on how to improve the ways in which race and gender are used in testing including the Humans of ADLM Award which spotlights individuals and groups advancing health equity
   • ADLM and its Academy in collaboration with the CAP are developing a document entitled Best Practices for Incorporating Gender Diversity and Inclusion in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
   • ADLM participated in the Diabetes Technology Society’s research on an improved error grid for glucose surveillance
     
     
3. Conduct related education, outreach, communication, and provide resources to ADLM members
   
   • Development of resource articles such as Diversity in clinical trials, March/April CLN issue and Working towards fairness in peripartum drug screening and beyond article, July/August CLN issue 
   • Development of webinars such as Awareness and application: DEI and health equity basics for laboratory professionals
   • At the Spring 2024 committee weekend, held a DEI Workshop with current committee term volunteers
   • Created and distributed an electronic DEI Toolkit (e.g., DEI Lens, Style Guide) to committee volunteers in Spring 2024
   • JALM and CCJ included author guidelines on inclusivity
   • Established a dedicated resource library of DEI content at myadlm.org/dei
   • Creation of a pathway for health equity sessions at the ADLM Annual Meeting as well as content such as the Fairlabs Data Analytics challenge co-hosted by Health Equity and Access Division and Informatics Division
4. Create a pipeline of leaders by providing mentorships and career guidance
   
   • Established programs such as the SYCL mentoring program and Seminar series
   • Recently established initiatives such as ADLM Scholars and the High School program
      
5. Foster representation from under-represented populations among volunteer roles and staff. Increase age, education, and job/role diversity among those engaged in ADLM
   
   • DEI is an organizational value of the ADLM Strategic Plan
   • Volunteer committee process includes use of the DEI lens in ensuring representation across disciplines, fields, position, education, etc.
   • Development of DCLS Task Force, Clinical Microbiology Steering Committee, and Global Affairs Core Committee
   • Increased cross-committee collaboration to ensure representation from a broad range of voices
   • Expanded demographic profile questions to gain a better understanding of the member and non-member communities and their unique needs
   • SYCL criteria was expanded to include any individual that is in their early career stage not just individuals 40 and under
   • Academy criteria updated to reflect changing ADLM membership and expansion within the field of laboratory medicine.

*since Fall 2023