![](https://cardiacneuro.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/SIG-WillenLiz_pic.fw_-150x150.png)
![](https://cardiacneuro.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Monteiro-Sonia-150x185-1.jpg)
Chair: Elizabeth (Liz) Willen PhD
([email protected])
Co-Chair: Sonia Monteiro MD ([email protected])
The goals of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion SIG are to: 1) Promote diversity through the development of best-practice standards for clinical care and research to enhance health equity, and 2) Promote diversity among providers within CNOC and support clinical and research activities of the group.
The initial focus of this SIG will be on relevant deliverables that will support the ongoing mission of CNOC to improve health equity among diverse individuals. Short-term goals may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Develop and maintain a repository of evidence-based, best-practice resources for investigators and clinicians to inform health equity research and intervention for children with CHD. To meet this goal, we may survey CNOC member institutions on current cross-cultural neuropsychological assessment practices. From these data, identify strengths and opportunities for growth in cross cultural/bilingual assessment practices and make formal practice recommendations including:
- Recommendations for Spanish/Bilingual Evaluation
- Recommendations for working with interpreters and appropriate tests to use
- Guidelines for standardized approaches to analysis and interpretation of cross cultural neuropsychological/neurodevelopmental data
- Support the clinical data registry and research aims by identifying gaps in diversity demographic data, and methods of collecting targeted information that will better inform how health inequity may intersect with neurodevelopmental outcomes. Examples may include:
- A detailed geographical distribution of patients
- Methods of measuring school and early intervention “quality” which may have a significant impact on long-term outcome
- Offer incentives to faculty and student researchers to focus on topics of diversity and health equity in children with CHD through outreach, support, and recognition. Examples may include:
- Special award at symposium for best poster addressing specific diversity issue
- Identify diverse faculty willing to serve as CNOC diversity mentors to younger colleagues and students engaging in clinical research at their institutions
Please contact SIG Chair Liz Willen at [email protected] or Co-Chair Sonia Monteiro [email protected] if you are interested in joining this SIG or have questions.