The anticipated schedule of topics covered are as follows. However, we always leave room for modifications based on the unique dynamics and needs of the group.

• How can we become more vulnerable in our work? How does it help us become proximate?
• How can we become more proximate when there’s a history of injury and mistrust?
• How does a Eurocentric default in our organizations alienate staff and communities of color?
• How can we ensure the excellence and voice of marginalized communities are valued in our organizations?
• What do communities of color expect for community health and the healthcare system?
• What do our organizations need to look like to be truly proximate, equitable, and inclusive? 
• How do we move beyond transactional engagement with communities of color to authentic engagement?
• How do we inject proximity into the lifeblood of our organizations?

1. Increase participants’ understanding of the needs, expectations, and assets within communities of color in their locality.
2. Increase participants’ understanding of the history of racism, systemic oppression and inequality in American society and how it is felt and perpetuated in the healthcare sector and organizations.
3. Build a supportive cross-institutional network of professionals who are committed to racial equity, inclusion, and improved community health outcomes.
4. Increase participating institutions’ ability to create inclusive and affirming organizational environments for their staff and equitably serve communities of color.
5. Define individual and institutional actions participants will take to develop and deepen authentic relationships with communities of color.

The program will begin in March 2022 and will end in March 2023. Sessions will take place once a month for two hours with readings and assignments in between sessions. Two optional in-person sessions will be held during the AIAMC conferences in March 2022 and March 2023. Program dates and times are forthcoming.

The program is designed for leaders (across roles) in health systems, academic medicine, etc. who hope to improve healthcare experiences and health outcomes among marginalized communities.

The ideal participant is someone who will champion and/or lead equity and racial justice efforts in their particular organization.

It is totally fine if the participant is emerging in their understanding of equity, inclusion, and racial justice.

It’s just critical that participants are committed to learning and doing the personal/organizational work needed to promote equity, racial justice, and inclusion.

Participants will likely be already involved in AIAMC’s National Initiative VIII but this is not a prerequisite for participating in Distinction in Diversity.

Participants will have 2 hour virtual sessions once a month for ten months bookended by optional in-person sessions during AIAMC’s conferences in March 2022 and March 2023.

Participants should plan for 4-5 hours of prep work (readings, assignments, etc.) outside of sessions. 

• Cost: The cost for the program for each participating organization is $1750 per person for groups of 1-3; $1,500 per person for groups of 4 or more

The Distinction in Diversity program was created as a partnership between AIAMC and The Proximity Project that would support members of National Initiative VIII seeking to go even deeper with their JEDI work.

The program is designed to address the fact that in many JEDI efforts authentic proximity to marginalized communities is a critical missing piece.

The Distinction in Diversity program will give participants the opportunity to build even stronger cross-institutional collaborations and relationships while advancing personal and institutional JEDI efforts.

Atnre Alleyne is the founder of The Proximity Project, a diversity and inclusion firm that helps organizations build deeper and more authentic connections with marginalized communities. Atnre launched The Proximity Project after over a decade of leading community engagement and empowerment initiatives in some of America’s poorest cities. Atnre is the co-founder of TeenSHARP, an organization that prepares students of color for top colleges and equity-centered leadership. Atnre previously founded and led an education advocacy organization and has served as a Director of Talent Management at the Delaware Department of Education. He is an alumnus of Pahara NextGen and serves on the advisory board of the Center for Education Policy Research at Harvard. Atnre writes regularly and delivers talks about racial justice, leadership, entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and education policy. He has appeared on the TEDx red carpet and has written for TheGrio, The 74 Million, Citizen Ed, Delaware Business Times, and other outlets. 

Roshni Guerry, MD FACP is an Associate Professor at the University of Pennsylvania where she leads the Outpatient Palliative Care Clinic. She is board certified in Hospice and Palliative Care, Internal Medicine, and Pediatrics. Prior to joining Penn, Dr. Guerry worked at ChristianaCare in Delaware both as a Hospitalist and chair of the Palliative Care department. During her time at ChristianaCare, she partnered with Nemours Children’s Hospital to create the fourth Pediatric Palliative Care Fellowship in the nation.

Mike Eppehimer, MHA, LSSBB, FACHE is an executive, author, speaker and coach with over 20 years of experience in healthcare strategy, operations and consulting. He is the Founder of ThreefoldYes, LLC, an organization focused on transforming individuals, organizations and communities through leadership, health and equity. He served most recently in multiple leadership roles at ChristianaCare, including President of the ChristianaCare Medical Group, Senior Vice President, Service Line Operations and Vice President, Department of Medicine. He has also served in leadership roles at the George Washington University Hospital and the Advisory Board Company. 

Kristen Isaac, MPH has worked in community-based health organizations and is currently an Inclusion and Diversity Specialist in the Office of Inclusion and Diversity for ChristianaCare. While at ChristianaCare she has had the opportunity to support program operations for the DE-CTR/ACCEL research grant. She has also served as the Program Coordinator for the Supportive and Palliative Care team overseeing the program operations, data management, and practice optimization for the Acute, Outpatient and in-home services. She holds a Bachelor of Science from Howard University and Master of Public Health from Thomas Jefferson University.

Our trainings are always co-facilitated by community leaders including:

• High school students with personal healthcare experiences and ambitions to enter the profession
• Retired pastor on Medicare who has experienced the roles of caregiver and patient
• Community activist who advocates for the needs of immigrants  

The Proximity Project helps leaders grow by developing deep, authentic, and enduring ties to the marginalized communities they serve.

We design unique learning experiences that center community voices, increase understanding, and prompt commitment and action for racial justice, equity, and inclusion.