Equality and Inclusion

The Association of University Anesthesiologists (AUA) Council is strongly committed to creating a culture within our organization with equality and inclusion as core values. We believe that each of our members' institutions should also strive to attain a culture where all people are welcomed and equal. Black Lives Matter (BLM) is deeply interconnected with our ideals of equality and inclusion, and we wholeheartedly support the BLM movement.

Juneteenth

Therefore, we are calling for recognition and celebration of the holiday known as Juneteenth, which is this Friday, June 19.

Juneteenth marks the anniversary of the end of slavery, on June 19, 1865. The holiday has historically been an important annual celebration in the Black community. The AUA Council believes that this year – 155 years after the abolishment of slavery – it should be celebrated in all communities, and to serve as an annual reminder that racism, intolerance and injustice to any group has no place in medicine or our community as a whole.

LGBTQ Supreme Court Ruling

This month is not only the time of year that Juneteenth is celebrated, but is also the annual Pride Month celebration. The AUA Council also recognizes and supports the civil rights of LGBTQ individuals, and we would like to applaud the United States Supreme Court for its ruling this past Monday (June 15, 2020) that protects gay or transgender individuals against employment discrimination. Steps like these are crucial strides toward creating a fair, just and inclusive culture for all but clearly there is more work to be done.

AUA Leadership Advisory Board (LAB)

In response to the current climate, the AUA Council has established a Leadership Advisory Board. The LAB will be also help strengthen our organization by developing strategies and tactics to:

• Establish an equitable and inclusive environment for AUA members; and
• Engage in deliberate outreach within academic anesthesiology to achieve diversity within AUA membership.