The Building Trust Through Diversity, Health Care Equity, Inclusion and Diagnostic Excellence in Internal Medicine Training grant program aims to fund projects at medical schools and health systems across the United States to improve medical education and training to build a more trustworthy health system. On August 26th, 2024, the Alliance for Academic Internal Medicine (AAIM), the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM), the ABIM foundation, the American College of Physicians (ACP), and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation announced the recipients of the Building Trust grant program, which included two members of Washington University. One recipient was hospitalist Anthony Dao, MD, who submitted a grant request with the help of Alberto Sobrero and Paige Coughlin for his project entitled, “Expanding Diversity: Novel Pathway Program for Sexual and Gender Minority High School Students.”
These innovative projects are pivotal in weaving DEI into the core of internal medicine education and enrich our commitment to a more inclusive and equitable health care environment.”
Polly E. Parsons, MD, MACP, FCCP, ATSF,
AAIM President and CEO
Dr. Anthony Dao has been a dedicated advocate for advancing health equity as the director of OUTMed, an organization for LGBTQIA+ trainees, faculty and staff, and a member of the Division of Hospital Medicine Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Allyship, and Social Justice (IDEAS) committee. He also participates in many division and residency efforts to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for all. The Division of Hospital Medicine is overjoyed that Dr. Dao is getting recognized for his hard work championing diversity in healthcare. We are also proud to be part of Washington University, one of only 15 medical schools and health systems nationwide to receive this grant.
The organizations involved in the creation and funding of this grant have a strong connection to academic internal medicine. The Alliance for Academic Internal Medicine (AAIM) is a group comprised of more than 12,000 faculty and administrators in academic internal medicine at medical schools and teaching hospitals across the United States and Canada. Their main focus is supporting the professional growth and advancement of their members and mentoring the next generation of internal medicine physicians and leaders through education, research, engagement, and collaboration.
The American Board of Internal Medicine was established in 1936 in response to public demand for consistent physician standards. Since then, they have grown to represent the standard of excellence in internal medicine and its 21 subspecialities. To achieve certification, one must possess the clinical judgement, skills, and attitudes necessary for outstanding patient care. The ABIM is a physician-led, non-profit evaluation body.
The ABIM Foundation has the primary goal of promoting professionalism as a means to enhance the healthcare system overall. They work with physicians, physician leaders, medical trainees, healthcare delivery systems, payers, policymakers, consumer organizations, and patients to create a mutual understanding of professionalism and how its principles can be implemented in practice.
The American College of Physicians (ACP) is comprised of 161,000 internal medicine physicians, related subspecialists, and medical students, with members spanning over 145 countries worldwide. Internal medicine physicians are specialists who utilize scientific knowledge and clinical expertise to diagnose, treat, and provide compassionate care to adults, covering a wide range of health conditions from wellness to complex illnesses.
Together, these organizations hope to create meaningful change within the Internal Medicine community through investing in diversity and inclusion projects and efforts in medical schools and programs across the United States.
“By investing in health equity training, we’re improving an important dimension of the quality of medical education and addressing the systemic inequities that have long undermined patient trust. These innovative and collaborative projects help to foster a health system where every patient feels respected, understood, and confident in the care they receive.”
Richard Baron, MD, MACP
President and CEO of the American Board of Internal Medicine and the ABIM Foundation
