Majority of CVD Program Directors Feel Diversity Needs to Increase, Many Not Sure How

Diversity is important to cardiovascular disease (CVD) programs directors (PDs) and PDs are striving to increase diversity in their programs through recruitment and strategies directed toward the fellowship learning environment, according to results of the second annual Cardiovascular PDs Survey published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Julie B. Damp, MD, FACC, et al., examined characteristics of the CVD learning environment that may impact diversity and strategies used by PDs to approach these issues by administering a 34-question survey to PDs based in the U.S. The researchers wanted to understand PDs' perceptions of diversity in CVD and related characteristics of the CVD fellowship learning environment that may impact diversity. "All of us need to work harder towards a better professional experience for ourselves and the next generation, including work life balance/integration, family friendly schedules and leave policies, and zero tolerance for harassment and racism," write Pamela S. Douglas, MD, MACC, and Mary Norine Walsh, MD, MACC, in an accompanying editorial. Read more.