Faculty and Leadership Advancement for People of Color in Otolaryngology

AbstractPurpose of ReviewTo highlight the current state of faculty representation from groups underrepresented in medicine (UIM) within otolaryngology, to describe the common barriers UIM individuals face along the pipeline of academia, and to illustrate potential solutions for faculty and leadership advancement for people of color in otolaryngology.Recent FindingsBy 2045, current racial and ethnic minority groups will outnumber White Americans in the United States, yet faculty representation from groups UIM  remains remarkedly low, especially in otolaryngology. Currently, only 4.1% and 1.7% are Latino and Black full professors in otolaryngology, respectively. While diversity is significantly lacking within academic medicine, otolaryngology is among the least diverse fields.SummarySenior leaders must take an active role in improving faculty representation and advancement of UIM faculty across the ranks of academic medicine through a multiprong approach: enabling mentorship and sponsorship, promoting deliberate recruitment and promotion practices, mitigating the minority tax, and addressing research funding disparities. Concerted efforts must be made by everyone in our field to build a workforce that resembles society.
Source: Current Otorhinolaryngology Reports - Category: ENT & OMF Source Type: research