OUR DIVERSITY COMMITTEE
Our mission is to promote awareness and understanding of the values of cultural diversity to enhance relationships, tolerance and ability in our community. The committee is composed of members whose collective experience and background reflect the breadth of our department. The committee was convened in 1998 by Chief of Psychiatry, Dr. Ned Cassem, in response to then MGH President, Dr. James Mongan’s hospital wide initiative to identify problems and develop a diversity plan for the Department of Psychiatry. Over the years, the Committee has been fortunate to have the participation of very dedicated departmental staff and trainees.
The Psychiatry Diversity Committee is open to any member of the Department of Psychiatry. Presently, the committee has 15 active members with an auxiliary list of interested persons who cannot regularly attend meetings. Members included paid and unpaid clinical staff, trainees, and support staff. Past chairs have included Dr. David Henderson and Dr. Greg Fricchione, both of whom remain active members. Dr. Ranna Parekh is the current chair.
Goals Over the Years
Trainee Recruitment:
One of the major goals of the committee has been to increase the number of underrepresented minority trainees in the adult and child residency and psychology internship programs.
Trainee Curriculum:
We have also focused attention in having all aspects of difference, cultural, racial, religious, sexual orientation, socio-economic, age, etc., addressed in all aspects of training direction of the residency and internship training curriculums.
Psychiatry Grand Rounds:
Our committee selects several grand rounds speakers annually to present topics related to increasing diversity awareness and education in mental health.
Psychiatry Patient Diversity:
We have focused on studying the diversity of the psychiatric patient population at MGH and developing strategies to ensure that all psychiatric patients continue to feel that the MGH Psychiatry department is welcoming to a diverse patient population.
Recruitment and Retention of a Diverse Faculty and Staff:
The committee continues to focus on supporting the department’s efforts to recruit under-represented minority junior and senior staff.
Our commitment to diversity 
Massachusetts General Hospital provides a welcoming and supportive environment for employees of all ethnic backgrounds, cultures, ages, lifestyles and physical abilities.
