Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

SUGC Program Vision

We aim to build a genetic counseling community that embraces, empowers, includes, respects, educates, and supports patients, colleagues, students, and partners from all walks of life. 

We strive to address issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the development, execution, and evaluation of all aspects of training to promote a strong sense of belonging and community. 

We are looking for applicants who want to partner with us to do our part in dismantling systemic and structural racism in the field of genetic counseling.

SGC DEI AOC

The Stanford Genetic Counseling Diversity Equity Inclusion Action and Outreach Committee (DEI AOC) is a grassroots effort created by a team of Stanford genetic counselors and genetic counseling students in March 2020. Our goal is to provide a platform to execute projects focused on education, outreach, advocacy, and service delivery needs to promote systemic change and build a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive genetic counseling community. Please browse our website to learn more about our committee’s past projects and current initiatives –  https://sites.google.com/stanford.edu/sgc-dei-aoc/

Specific Actions Taken

Resources

Stanford stands against anti-Asian racism

Read President Marc Tessier-Lavigne's statement in support of Stanford's AAPI community: https://news.stanford.edu/today/2021/03/18/statement-support-stanfords-asian-asian-american-pacific-islander-community/

Stanford Student Affairs resource & support page: https://studentaffairs.stanford.edu/aapi-harassment

Here is a centralized listing of anti-Asian violence resources: https://anti-asianviolenceresources.carrd.co/

#BlackLivesMatter2020

Stanford Genetic Counseling Diversity Equity Inclusion Action and Outreach Committee Anti-Racism Statement

We, the Stanford Genetic Counseling (SGC) community, acknowledge and recognize the long-standing systems of oppression in our society.  We have taken the national spotlight on racial injustice as a call to action to evaluate how racist assumptions, practices, and policies are propagated and reinforced through our community. We are dedicated to dismantling systems and practices that do not serve equity and justice.

Our Actions
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) contribute to society at every level, including the genetic counseling field. We recognize DEI issues impact our SGC community and the patients we serve. In response, in February 2020 the SGC Action and Outreach Committee was formed, with membership composed of students, faculty, and program leadership. In April 2020, the decision was made to no longer require prerequisite courses or the GRE in order to pursue admissions equity.

Our Commitment
Continuing with our previous efforts, we strive to make an impactful and sustained change to embrace diversity of all kinds within the greater genetic counseling community.  In this time, we aim to actively build a brave space for honest, vulnerable conversations, reflect upon our own short-comings and biases, and advance our understanding of past and present racism. We acknowledge our efforts may be imperfect, but we are committed to life-long learning as individuals and a community to work towards social justice and equity in healthcare. If you are interested in learning more about our evolving initiatives, please contact sgcdeiaoc@gmail.com.


Stanford University's commitment to gender identity and expression

Stanford is committed to providing living, working and learning environments where all of us can flourish. Stanford’s Nondiscrimination Policy includes protection for gender, gender identity and gender expression. Read more: https://quadblog.stanford.edu/2018/10/24/our-commitment-to-gender-identity-and-expression/  

Stanford stands in support of DACA recipients

Statement of Stanford University following Supreme Court decision upholding travel ban

Since the implementation of the original travel ban, Stanford has been very clear about its commitment to welcoming students and scholars from all over the world. That commitment remains firmly in place today. Read more: https://immigration.stanford.edu/2018/06/26/statement-of-stanford-university-following-supreme-court-decision-upholding-travel-ban/


Stanford University statement on federal administration’s plans for DACA

We join the senior leadership of Stanford University in vigorously and adamantly opposing the decision to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. The full text of Stanford’s statement may be found here: http://undocumented.stanford.edu/2017/09/05/stanford-statement-daca/.


Stanford statement on campus climate and immigration

On November 15, 2016, The Stanford University School of Medicine’s Faculty Senate endorsed the resolution approved by the university Senate of the Academic Council, http://news.stanford.edu/2016/11/19/stanford-statement-campus-climate-immigration/

In addition, the Stanford University School of Medicine’s Faculty Senate further affirms that as an institution "We are committed to an educational environment that is inclusive, diverse, and treats each member of our community with respect and dignity.  ...  As members of the healing arts, we have a special commitment to society and to the health of the public. We are committed to providing medical care to patients consistent with the Stanford Affirmation, ... and  we are committed to promoting well-being and support for all members of our student body and medical community."