Harbor-UCLA Pediatrics Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee
1000 W Carson St, N-25 Box 468, Room E140
Torrance, CA 90502
The Harbor-UCLA Pediatrics Diversity Committee is a collaborative effort of residents and faculty that was created to promote increased awareness, understanding, and recognition amongst healthcare providers in order to provide proficiencies necessary to care for our diverse patient population in a manner that is respectful and responsive to the individual and their structural context. This takes into consideration personal cultural humility and recognizing that our patients seek care having experienced various systemic influences that impact their health and well-being. We also seek to promote and provide an educational experience of equity and inclusivity as well as increase and celebrate the diversity among health providers to continually better understand and meet the need of the community we serve.
Why Are You Interested in D.E.I?
“I am a child of immigrants. I believe in the strength of community, service, and personal growth when we are able to work together, embrace different backgrounds and perspectives and advocate to break down structural barriers.”
Sylvia Yeh“I believe all people deserve access to quality medical care regardless of race/ethnicity, nationality, or socioeconomic status. Furthermore, I believe by focusing on principles of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion we can get closer to reaching this ideal.”
Shaheen Harandi“So I can provide the best patient-centered care”
Hyo-Jung Choi“As someone from a multiracial background, I never quite fit into one category or checkbox. DEI is important to me because it creates more awareness and sensitivity. With this knowledge, providers can build stronger relationships with both patients and families.”
Rachel Kim“My interest in DEI stems from my awareness of inequities that exist in our world, and a desire to equalize the care our patients receive daily. I also desire to create an environment where we, as clinicians, will respect and elevate the unique differences that each member of the medical community brings to their patient care. Studies like the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) study, as well as knowledge of social determinants of health, and how these circumstances affect the health of the patient we treat, has driven me to want to play a part in improving the care of our very vulnerable population.”
Tanesha Moss“As a minority myself, I’ve experience the challenges that come with language and cultural barriers. I believe being culturally competent is crucial when working with diverse communities. No matter the level of training if a person is not culturally aware, he/she ay compromise the relationship with and care of the patient.”
Paola Perez“I am passionate about this topic because of my own experiences as an immigrant woman of color who grew up in a community notorious for its high crime rates and low high school graduation rates, where many of my peers perpetuated cycle of substance abuse, teen pregnancy, or gang violence among other things. It was not until I went to undergrad that I became truly aware of the health disparities that communities much line mine faced particularly by volunteering in impoverished areas of LA County consisting of predominantly Spanish-speaking families. Through these encounters, I have learned how connections between patients and providers are strengthened by a providers ability to relate to the patient experience beyond what can be taught in a classroom. Thus, diversity, equity, and inclusion in medicine enhance opportunities quality patient care.”
Princella Olalo“In caring for our underserved population at Harbor-UCLA, we see firsthand how the effects of structural violence impacts the daily life of our patients. I know that diversity benefits us in so many way, from better care for our patients to richer discussion on rounds. I want to create an include environment by bing a better listener, facilitating open discussion about issues that impact our diverse patients, residents and medical students; and writing to recognize and mitigate bias. I love working with our passionate residents and medical students making sure that I do everything i can to empower them to lead the way.”
Sarah Gustafson, “To help crate a culture of openness, acceptance, and celebration of our collective differences and experiences within our institution. Most importantly, to help eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in care.”
Kathy GarciaSupport Staff
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
College: University of California, Merced
Residents
College: University of California, Irvine
Medical School: University of Queensland School of Medicine
College: Stanford University
Medical School: University of Sydney School of Medicine
College: Barnard College
Medical School: Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine
College: Samford University
Medical School: University of Queensland, School of Medicine
Hometown: Diamond Bar, CA
College: University of California, Los Angeles
Medical School: Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University
Faculty
College: University of California, Berkeley
Medical School: University of California, Irvine
Training: Harbor- UCLA Medical Center
College: University of California, Los Angeles
Medical School: University of California, San Francisco
Training: University of California San Diego
College: University of California, Los Angeles
Medical School: Arizona College of Medicine at Midwestern University
Training: St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children
Fellowship: Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
College: Harvard University
Medical School: University of CA, San Francisco
Training: Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
College: University of California, Los Angeles
Medical School: University of California, San Diego
Training: Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
College: University of California, Los Angeles
Medical School: New York Medical College
Training: Pediatric Residency
Pediatric Infectious Disease Fellowship
Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
Committee Directors
College: University of California, Los Angeles
Medical School: CDU/UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine
Training: Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
College: University of California, Los Angeles
Medical School: UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine
Training: UCLA