In 2021
The CDA Board of Directors is committed to further its understanding of issues affecting people from a variety of backgrounds and lived experiences.
Mandatory Training:
The Board identified quality educational courses and members completed unconscious bias training.
We have actively promoted diverse representation among committee membership and senior leadership in our Association.
Implementing a Proactive Involvement Plan:
The CDA’s Governance and Nominating Sub-Committee has implemented an involvement plan that seeks out those members who may not see themselves as part of the CDA.
Outreach is happening using both formal and informal networks to talk about including all members as part of our medical specialty association.
Communications have become clearer and more direct to encourage all to become involved.
Barriers and Obstacles that might be in the way of full and equal participation are being identified and removed.
In 2022
We used our power and position to amplify the voice of our colleagues and partners with positive messaging about dermatological expertise and treatment for skin of colour.
The CDA is committed to creating new educational offerings that focus on skin of colour and promoting dermatological expertise and treatment considerations for skin of colour in all of the CDA’s print and media efforts.
CDA Skin of Colour Series
We designed a comprehensive 5-part web series for CDA members on the biology of diverse skin types. Focus was on understanding all aspects of skin color and dermatological issues specific to darker skin tones.
CDA Communications highlighted a diverse range of members, making a focused effort to feature authentic images of certified CDA members wherever possible.
Advocacy
As part of on-going environmental scanning efforts, the CDA will proactively identify and respond to any policy initiative(s), review or consultation that helps achieve diverse membership and inclusion for all CDA member dermatologists and their practice.
In 2023-2024
An EDI committee was established in the autumn of 2022, and its Terms of Reference were subsequently approved by the board in February 2023. Below is an overview of this committee’s terms of reference.
- Improve accessibility and inclusivity for Canadian dermatologists.
- Integrate EDI perspectives into decision-making.
- Ensure alignment with diversity and inclusion goals.
- Measure diversity in education.
- Implement equitable care initiatives.
- Promote diversity in all aspects.
To advance our commitment to EDI, we have taken significant steps within our organization. One such measure involved appointing dedicated EDI committee representatives to each CDA committee, facilitating real-time EDI discussions and ensuring comprehensive representation in policy development and implementation. Furthermore, we have introduced conference metrics to rigorously assess the inclusion of EDI principles in all aspects of our conferences, including speaker selection and content curation.
The Integrated Communications team is making a concerted effort to reach a more diverse range of audiences by carefully selecting inclusive language and visuals that resonate with a broader community, reflecting our commitment to diversity in a thoughtful and balanced way.