Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

How Do You Celebrate the Diversity of Your Colleagues in Hospice and Palliative Care?

Heather A . Harris , MD FAAHPM; Andy Lawton, MD; Sonia Malhotra, MD MS FAAP; and Masako Mayahara, PhD RN CHPN

In 2019, members from the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee brainstormed about hosting an event that would celebrate the diversity of the AAHPM and HPNA community and invite conversations about DEI issues within our field. In alignment with AAHPM's current DEI strategic plan, these members formed a work group tasked with planning a DEI welcome event for the 2020 Annual Assembly—a social event open to all members that would feature music, fellowship, and activities intended to engage members with DEI themes. When the 2020 Assembly was cancelled and the 2021 Assembly shifted to an online platform, the work group reimagined this DEI event, considering how a virtual session might still invite diverse AAHPM and HPNA members to connect and share their experiences. The outcome was two virtual DEI engagement events hosted at the 2021 Annual Assembly: Meaningful Objects Sharing and Our Names, Our Stories.