Speakers at the summit emphasized that cultivating a diverse workforce starts with inclusive leadership and integrating DEI values into strategic plans and budgets.
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“If we don’t do this work and if we don’t take diversity, equity and inclusion seriously, people are going to die. That’s a fact,” Dr. Terrance Mays said during a panel discussion at the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Policy Summit in September 2024. “We know that black men are about 19% more likely to die from cancer than white men, and black women are 12% more likely to die from cancer than white women. These are real experiences that impact individuals’ lives.”
The keynote address introducing the summit’s focus, “Advancing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Cancer Care Workforce,” was delivered by Dr. Tiffany Wallace, branch director of the National Cancer Institute’s Center for Cancer Health Equity.
Following the keynote address, a series of panel discussions highlighted the importance of cultivating a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and belonging within cancer centers. The sessions explored strategies for sustaining these efforts in a changing policy environment and featured a variety of expert perspectives and best practice presentations from institutions across the country.
“Our work at NCCN has always been rooted in equity. We want everyone to have access to the latest evidence-based, expert consensus-based cancer treatment recommendations. “Patients can live better lives,” NCCN CEO Crystal S. Denlinger, M.D., said in a statement.1 “For nearly 30 years, NCCN Guidelines have provided a roadmap to help cancer patients receive optimal, high-quality, evidence-based care. In recent years, we have expanded our focus to additional factors that lead to disparities in outcomes, including cancer care providers and groups underrepresented in clinical trials.”
In an ensuing panel discussion, Mays, Stanford’s associate dean for equity and strategic initiatives and executive director of the university’s Committee on Justice and Equity, joined key leaders to explore strategies for promoting inclusive workplace cultures while facing challenges posed by a changing policy environment and opposition to DEI initiatives.
Expert Insights: Strategies for Advancing DEI in Oncology
Mays and Danielle Ko Mitchell, CEO and founder of Black Women in Clinical Research, stressed the importance of engaging with communities and listening to their needs. Their approach suggests partnering with trusted local organizations and leaders, such as pastors, barbers and other community members, to understand the needs of the community, rather than making assumptions.
They also highlighted the value of having staff and researchers who reflect the diversity of the communities they serve, and addressed representation of diversity in the workforce and research teams, as this helps build trust and engagement.
“Diverse specialists recruit diverse patients,” Mitchell said.
Rodney Tucker, MD, MMM, associate director for access, belonging and culture at the O’Neill Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, agreed, discussing the need to critically examine inclusion and exclusion criteria to increase representativeness in research and recommending intentionally reviewing study eligibility criteria to assess the need and feasibility of expanding participation.
Dr. Eugene Manley Jr., founder and CEO of the STEMM & Cancer Health Equity Foundation, also emphasized the need for increased community outreach and engagement to enhance equitable access to care. He advocated for greater diversity in the cancer care workforce and for outreach materials to reflect lived experiences to improve care delivery.
Another strategy mentioned by speakers was creating pathways by providing more promising entry-level opportunities and career development support, especially for individuals from underrepresented backgrounds. Lauren Wall, MS, senior director of the Office of Cancer Clinical Trials Support at the University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center, spoke about looking for indicators of success through developing the next generation of medical, cancer, and research professionals.
Mays emphasized that successfully implementing a DEI strategy starts with company leadership: Incorporating DEI goals into performance reviews and incentive structures is a big sign of commitment.
“When we see a clear, visible commitment from leadership to this work, it’s a sign that an organization is moving in the right direction,” he said, “when executive leadership defines, articulates and holds themselves and others accountable for diversity, equity, inclusion and disruption.”
Current challenges in improving DEI in healthcare
Deborah Grimes, RN, JD, MSHQS, senior vice president and chief diversity officer at Ochsner Health, emphasized that addressing workforce diversity from a health equity perspective is essential to achieving equitable cancer care outcomes.
Chyke A. Doubeni, MD, MPH, chief health equity officer at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, emphasized the need for a culture of empathy and inclusivity in all aspects of health care. “Health services, workplaces, schools and research activities must be truly inclusive,” he said. “It’s important that we work together as a society to identify shared values and create organizations and communities that are diverse and inclusive.”
Speakers acknowledged backlash and legal challenges to DEI programs, such as bans on scholarships targeted to certain populations. Heather Alarcón, senior director of legal services at the Association of American Medical Colleges, explained that some organizations are being overly cautious and unnecessarily avoiding DEI programs. She urged employers to adopt legally recognized diversity practices and ensure they have robust recruiting processes that look for talent from everywhere.
Overall, the NCCN Policy Summit served as a forum for oncology thought leaders to share insights and strategies for cultivating an inclusive cancer care workforce that better serves all. The event highlighted the importance of continued efforts in DEI as an integral part of the mission to improve cancer care and outcomes.
reference
1. NCCN Policy Summit Examines How to Build Inclusive Cancer Center Workplace Cultures that Better Serve Everyone. News Release. NCCN. September 10, 2024. Accessed September 13, 2024. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nccn-policy-summit-explores-how-to-build-an-inclusive-cancer-center-workplace-culture-that-better-serves-everybody-302244098. html
