Diversity Committee
We're committed to making KU Medical Center, our communities and the world a better place.
"No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite." Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom
Welcome
The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences' Diversity Committee was created in 2017. We are a community of like-minded individuals committed to creating and maintaining a space for discussing diversity, talking about diversity related issues and concerns, reviewing literature, discussing cases and seeking ways to make diversity an ongoing priority within the department.
Join us
We meet at Noon on the third Wednesday of each month. Everyone is welcome, including residents, interns and fellows. For more information, questions or to submit a diversity topic, article or concern (clinical or professional), contact co-chairs Elizabeth Muenks, Ph.D. (emuenks@kumc.edu) and Hannah Katz, Psy.D. (hkatz2@kumc.edu).
Our mission
To nurture a safe, inclusive and diverse environment with openness, respect, collegiality and curiosity in both academic and clinical arenas. We aim to utilize this environment to encourage opportunities for meaningful contributions to the greater good in ways that make a difference in the world around us.
Our objectives
- Cultural competence reflected in areas of education, training, research, clinical work and outreach
- Identify and reduce barriers to prioritizing cultural competence and sensitivity
- Dedicate time and resources to both the academic medical center and community
- Committee is to act as a liaison and supporter of other medical center, academic and community groups, including the EVC's Diversity and Inclusion Cabinet
- Keep department aware of opportunities to participate in diversity related events and trainings across the campus

"Diversity is about embracing differences and recognizing the amazing things that are possible when it's woven into an organization's culture."
We annually present a Diversity Award to two trainees in the department. Established in memory of Ravinder Goswami, M.D., a graduate of the general psychiatry program who passed away in 2018, the honor recognizes trainees who exhibit the committee's mission of promoting diversity and inclusion within the department and the community. In 2020, we will begin presenting a faculty/staff diversity award.
Award winners
2023
Megan Cleary, D.O. (Psychiatry Resident)
Nellie Moualeu, Ph.D. (Advanced Clinical Psychology Fellow)
2022
J.P. Martell, M.D. (Psychiatry resident)
Kara Nishimuta, Ph.D. (Onco-psychology fellow)
2021
Bre-Ann Slay, Psy.D. (Clinical child psychology fellow
2020
Nadia Saina, M.D. (Psychiatry resident)
Hannah Katz, Psy.D. (Onco-psychology fellow)
2019
Spencer Harrison, M.D. (Child and adolescent psychiatry fellow)
Angela Gutierrez, Ph.D. (Clinical psychology intern)
2018
Naveen Khanzada, M.D. (Child and adolescent psychiatry fellow)
Ashley Rhodes, Ph.D. (Clinical psychology intern)
Issue 6 - 2023 (pdf)
Issue 5 - 2022 (pdf)
Issue 4 - 2021 (pdf)
Issue 3 - 2020 (pdf)
Issue 2 - 2019 (pdf)
Issue 1 - 2018 (pdf)
AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION STATEMENT ON UKRAINE
Read the APA motion on the conflict in Ukraine.
STATEMENT OF SOLIDARITY WITH THE ASIAN AND ASIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY
Stop AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) Hate, a coalition that has tracked anti-Asian violence during the pandemic, received 3,795 reports of hate incidents between March 2020 and February 2021. A study published earlier in March 2021 by the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism, a nonpartisan research center, showed a significant rise in hate crimes against Asian Americans from 2019 to 2020. Advocates for the Asian American community attribute this increase to the pandemic and erroneously blaming Asian Americans for the coronavirus. We are united in our stand against racism, stereotypes and xenophobia including that directed toward Asian Americans.
STATEMENT OF SOLIDARITY WITH THE BLACK COMMUNITY
The Diversity Committee stands in solidarity and supports the ongoing fight against the continued racism Black people face in this country. This committee remains committed to supporting our Black colleagues, trainees and students, with steadfast support for all marginalized groups. We are here to offer a supportive and safe environment to anyone who wishes to air feelings, learn, ask uncomfortable questions and process.
DIVERSITY AND COVID-19
It's true, all of us are in the midst of a global pandemic, but we also know people here in the United States and around the world are experiencing the COVID-19 health crisis in very different ways, based on their ethnicity, race, gender identity, socioeconomic status or challenges with violence in the home, for example.
The Diversity Committee is celebrating Black History Month with Black History Daily Doses, short anecdotes highlighting some lesser known, but no less notable, Black people and dates that have contributed greatly to our society and history.
2025
Daily Doses -- Week of February 1
Daily Doses -- Week of February 9
2024
Daily Doses -- Week of February 1
Daily Doses -- Week of February 4
Daily Doses -- Week of February 11
Daily Doses -- Week of February 18
Daily Doses -- Week of February 25
2023
Daily Doses -- Week of February 1
Daily Doses -- Week of February 5
Daily Doses -- Week of February 12
Daily Doses -- Week of February 19
Daily Doses -- Week of February 26
2022
Daily Doses -- Week of February 1
Daily Doses -- Week of February 8
Daily Doses -- Week of February 15
Daily Doses -- Week of February 24
2021
Daily Doses -- Week of February 1
Daily Doses -- Week of February 8
Daily Doses -- Week of February 15
Daily Doses -- Week of February 22
The Diversity Committee is celebrating Pride Month and LGBTQIA2S+ with Daily Doses, short anecdotes highlighting some lesser known, but no less notable LGBTQIA2S+ people and dates that have contributed greatly to our society and history.
2024
Daily Doses -- Week of June 1
Daily Doses -- Week of June 8
Daily Doses -- Week of June 16
2023
Daily Doses -- Week of June 1
Daily Doses -- Week of June 4
Daily Doses -- Week of June 11
Daily Doses -- Week of June 18
Daily Doses -- Week of June 25