Diversity Equity - Penn Medicine

Mission

Our program is committed to diversity in all its forms. Diversity does not simply apply to demographics (sex, race, etc.) but thoughts, background, and training trajectory. We encourage individuals of varied backgrounds to apply.

Welcome from Dr. Pickett-Blakely, MD, MHS:

It is my pleasure to welcome you to the Penn GI Diversity Page. Our mission in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology is to pursue excellence in the care of individuals with digestive and liver diseases, pursue excellence in education of the next generation, and seek innovative solutions to digestive and liver diseases.
As we work toward our mission it is critical that we exemplify ideals of diversity, equity and inclusion in patient care, education, and scholarship.
We recognize the importance of diversity of thought and perspective in our professional and personal lives and that equity is a necessity for the best outcomes.
Therefore, we have an unwavering commitment to create and maintain an environment that is equitable and free of bias and racism.
This page reflects the collective efforts of our outstanding staff, fellows, and faculty, and showcases the amazing work of #TeamGIandHepatology.
Here you will learn about the experiences of our fellows, the impact of our world-class faculty, and how we engage with our community.

Cheers!
Octavia Pickett-Blakely, MD, MHS
Vice Chief, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology

Welcome Message from the Inaugural Chief Fellow in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI):

My name is Abe Segura (he/him/his) and I am the 2023-2024 Chief Fellow in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the Penn Division of Gastroenterology. I am a first-generation college graduate born in Houston, TX, and raised in a working-class Latino household. I obtained my medical degree from Washington University of St. Louis, completed my Internal Medicine residency at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, and am currently a gastroenterology fellow in the Clinical Epidemiology Track. Through personal and professional encounters, I have witnessed how inequitable access to quality medical care burdens underrepresented and marginalized communities. These lived experiences motivate me to view the study and treatment of digestive diseases through a lens of health equity to improve patient outcomes and quality of life for all.

As Chief Fellow in DEI, my responsibility is to foster an inclusive experience for our fellows, educate colleagues on health equity in gastroenterology, and collaborate with the Divisional Penn GI DEI committee. This is accomplished by: 1) leading fellows-only focus groups to discuss the state of DEI from the GI trainee perspective, 2) lecturing on healthcare disparities in GI as part of the Fellows Didactics Series, and 3) working with the Penn GI DEI committee to develop service projects that address healthcare disparities in GI and strength the educational pipeline for underrepresented groups into health-related sciences.
I am honored to serve as the Inaugural Chief Fellow in DEI for the Division of Gastroenterology. I am grateful for the strong support that I’ve received from divisional leadership, and inspired by colleagues in other divisions who are advancing DEI across the Department of Medicine. I am committed to our division’s goal to create a community of inclusive excellence that champions diversity and equity in clinical care, education, research, and service.

GI Fellowship Experience in DEI

Our Values: Education, Advocacy, Impact

Penn GI DEI News and Events

Research:

(please check back soon)

Community service:

Giving back to our community is important. It was a pleasure to educate seniors and spend some time with them at the West Philadelphia Senior Community Center.