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Guiding Policies

A report to help the University of Saskatchewan College of Medicine better address issues of systemic inequity was jointly released on March 30, 2023 by the college and the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission (SHRC).

The SHRC conducted research and interviews to develop the report using a systemic investigation and advocacy approach. The report provides an overview of systemic advocacy, summarizes the SHRC’s investigation and findings, and identifies issues for the college to address. It will inform the college’s continued efforts to change and improve as an equitable, diverse, and inclusive medical school. The college and the SHRC will continue to work together on next steps, including how the issues identified in the report will be addressed. 

Read the full report: The Case for a Restorative Response to Perceptions of Systemic Inequity at the University of Saskatchewan College of Medicine: A Systemic Investigation Summary Report

What is Anti-Racist Transformation in Medical Education (ART in Med Ed)? 

In 2021, the University of Saskatchewan College of Medicine was selected from more 60 competitive applicants from across the U.S. and Canada to participate in the Anti-Racist Transformation in Medical Education (ART in Med Ed) initiative, led by the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. The University of Saskatchewan has the distinct honour of being the only Canadian school selected, participating alongside prestigious institutions such as Columbia University and University of California, Los Angeles.

ART in Med is a three-year initiative which aims to dismantle institutional racism in medical education. Our cohort — which is made up of 15 faculty, staff and students committed to anti-racist transformation at the U of S — has been meeting for a year to begin the change management initiative. We are ready to move into the next phase, where members of the College of Medicine community can begin to contribute to this transformative change.

Who does this impact?

ART in Med Ed is a college-wide initiative that will involve all areas of work and study, including but not limited to staff, students, faculty, departments (i.e. biomedical science), and affiliated schools (i.e. School of Rehabilitation Science). Participation in this process is open to any and all members of the College of Medicine that would like to champion anti-racism and anti-oppression in our college – staff of all levels and unions, faculty, UGME, PGME and grad students are encouraged to get involved.

Where is the college in the process?

We are now in Phase 3 of the initiative, where we will be building our Guiding Coalition. The Guiding Coalition will be made up of faculty, staff, residents, fellows, postdocs and students, organized into functional areas or spheres, who will be responsible for determining priorities for their sphere and leading anti-racist systems change. The spheres will oversee the change projects or actions; identify options and make decisions about where energy and resources should be focused; determine how to hold people accountable and manage resistance; as well as muster support, buy-in and resources from stakeholders and other parts of our institution.

Spheres 

1. Learners - Learner experience, culture and climate from an anti-racist perspective; advising practices that actively address racism, promote equity, and improve trust between students and student affairs; address issues that underrepresented learners may face.
2. Faculty and Staff - Experience, culture and climate from an anti-racist perspective. Including recruitment, retention, and promotion that advances diversity and equity.
3. Curriculum - Anti-racist pedagogy, faculty development on teaching anti-racist medicine and white supremacy, and curricular initiatives in curriculum throughout UGME, PGME (clinical settings) Grad studies and SRS.
4. Admissions – Anti-racist admissions practices, including specific streams and recruitment efforts.
5. Research - For those interested in research from an anti-racist lens, health equity research, anti-racist medicine, anti-racist pedagogy (includes postdocs).

Each sphere will consist of 7–10 members, with two designated co-leads.

Membership terms – One-year commitment required; members are encouraged to serve more than one year.

What are the expectations for Guiding Coalition members? 

• Use their day-to-day function/role and relevant stakeholder groups to increase awareness of the change initiative and adopt change management methodology.
• Contribute energy and skills by collaborating (attending monthly meetings and working between meetings) on change projects or actions that will accelerate change in a specific sphere.
• Increase personal awareness, knowledge and ability in order to address racism in systemic policies and practices that have generated an imbalance in power and privilege in the medical learning and work environment.

What is the membership criteria?

• Value diversity comprehensively, including race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, ability and disability, age, and other factors that shape creative perspective and professional experience.
• Demonstrate a high commitment to ending racism.
• Be open-minded and willing to approach problems with the awareness that one’s own perspective is not always the only valid perspective.
• Desire to transform “why we can’t” to “how we can.”
• Affect change through actions big and small.
• Motivation to lead from where you sit. 

• Join the Guiding Coalition

The purpose of the survey is to establish a baseline of where the College of Medicine is regarding:

• the representation of marginalized members
• the perception of the inclusivity of college culture
• the demographic data needed for accreditation

The survey is anonymous, with strict methods in place to ensure no individuals can be identified, including setting a reporting requirement of a minimum of five respondents for each potentially identifying category (e.g., racialized people).

We understand the fear around sharing pieces of our identities and experiences and will ensure this can be done in a safe manner.  

• Read the EDI Survey Summary
• Read the EDI Survey Report

EDI at USask During COVID-19

Members of the University of Saskatchewan were invited to relay noticeable impacts (whether positive or negative) of the Covid-19 pandemic on EDI. An online survey was used to collect information on incidents witnessed or experienced, concerns, successes, and recommendations. A sample of 234 respondents completed the open-ended survey.

• Read the EDI COVID-19 Survey Report

The College will host three speakers per academic year who will present on a range of EDI (Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) related topics.

People & Places

• Division of Social Accountability
• Indigenous Health Committee
• SMSS EDI Representative, Amira Muftah & Committee
• Black Medical Students Association
• Wellness

Connect with the University of Saskatchewan Equity, Diversity and Inclusion resources for more information.