It speaks volumes about Mount Sinai Health System’s commitment to equity that we now have this office. By creating a dean-level position, we elevate the importance and our commitment to providing all faculty, students, and trainees with support for success. Our purpose is to ensure that all have the experience of being valued without bias.
Like many physicians and scientists, I am no stranger to unprofessional and unfair treatment. Nationally and internationally, inequitable treatment is being brought forth, recognized, and addressed. At ISMMS, the structure and climate have begun to change in tangible ways. Dennis S. Charney, MD, Anne and Joel Ehrenkranz Dean of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and President for Academic Affairs for the Mount Sinai Health System, and the faculty and staff recognize that people cannot thrive in a toxic environment. Under his leadership, we have increased the number of women in key leadership positions (deans, department chairs, and institute directors), from 0% to 50% in just a decade. Our leaders are more focused than ever before on ensuring our climates, policies and structures allow for every talented individual to succeed.
It is within this evolving climate that we partner with people in our institution to carefully examine all aspects of the professional experience and find ways to improve it. As Dean of Career Opportunity and Support, I am passionate about ensuring that the positive experiences I have had here are universal. To that end, I will bring renewed rigor to the School, based on my experience and what I learn from you, our trainees, faculty, doctors, and scientists.
Part of my role involves reaching out to trainees and faculty, physicians, and scientists. Our team meets with individuals and groups to gather information about your experiences and perceptions. We focus on raising awareness of and creating opportunities to promote fairness throughout the Health System. Based on experience, local and national best practices, and input from people across the Mount Sinai community, we will develop and deploy programs to increase inclusiveness, improve quality of life, and strengthen recruitment and retention. We collaborate with our leadership to meet these goals.
We are here to listen to you, learn with you, and take concrete, tangible actions to ensure we have the opportunity to thrive and succeed. Together we can create a better future, and set an example for others to follow.
Carol R. Horowitz, MD, MPH
Professor of Population Health Science and Policy
Professor of Medicine
Professor of Artificial Intelligence and Human Health
Founder and Director of the Institute for Health Equity Research
Dean for Career Opportunity and Support