Diversity and Inclusion in Our Department

Everyone in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion, from trainees to faculty and staff. Our diversity efforts are overseen by the department's director of diversity and inclusion, Julius Oni, M.D., with strong support from department and institutional leadership. We continue to expand what it means to be a diverse and inclusive organization, and always explore new ways to put these values into action.

What Diversity Means to Us

We believe that we can best promote excellence by creating a climate of diversity, inclusion and respect. This is critical to reaching our goals in research, teaching, health care and other areas within our department and Johns Hopkins as a whole.

Shared Values

We recognize and support the values of diversity and inclusion in achieving and sustaining excellence in academics, research and patient care.

Diverse Teams and Views

We create and foster inclusion by recruiting and retaining diverse groups of students, residents, faculty and staff.

Diversity is a Shared Responsibility

We acknowledge that the responsibility for excellence, diversity and inclusion lies with all of us in the department.

How We Practice Diversity and Inclusion

Diversity Scholarship

One-month clinical clerkship for fourth-year medical students who are women or members of underrepresented communities and are interested in pursing a career in orthopaedic surgery.

Community and International Outreach

Our department is engaged with Baltimore communities to expose young students to orthopaedics as a profession. We also participate in international humanitarian work.

Health Disparities Research

Racial disparities have shown to influence whether people receive timely care, type of care they get and procedure outcomes. We investigate these topics to shed the light on racial disparities in orthopaedics.

Ongoing Education

We aim to keep the topics of diversity and inclusion top of mind by including them in our grand rounds and other department-wide events and lectures.

Orange paper icon

Diversity Council

The Diversity Council for the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, led by Dr. Julius Oni, promotes diversity goals and best practices, organizes outreach events, and provides resources for residents and students. Residents have the opportunity to become members. 

Faculty, Residents and Alumni in National Diversity Leadership

Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society

The society aims to promote professional development of and for women in orthopaedics throughout all stages of their careers.

Members from Johns Hopkins:

  • Dawn LaPorte, M.D., faculty | Chair, Diversity and Inclusion | Former President
  • James Ficke, M.D., faculty | Member
  • Amiethab Aiyer, M.D., faculty | Member
  • Yesha Parekh, M.D., resident | Committee Member

J. Robert Gladden Orthopaedic Society

This society aims to increase diversity within the orthopaedic profession and promote the highest quality musculoskeletal care for all people.

Members from Johns Hopkins:

  • Julius Oni, M.D., faculty | Prior Mentorship Chair and Current Board Member
  • Dawn LaPorte, M.D., faculty | Member
  • Addisu Mesfin, M.D., alumnus | Research Chair
  • Jaysson Brooks, M.D., alumnus | Membership Chair

Pride Ortho

Pride Ortho is a community of proactive lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ+) individuals and their allies with a mission to provide mentorship, networking, and a sense of belonging for members of our orthopaedic community.

Members from Johns Hopkins:

  • Dawn LaPorte, M.D., faculty | Member

Healthcare Disparities Research

Past Grand Rounds

Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Johns Hopkins Medicine embraces diversity and inclusion, from higher leadership to our faculty, trainees and staff. These values are celebrated and put in action in many ways across our institution.

Johns Hopkins Medicine Equity Statement

Connecting the Community: Shepherd's Clinic

Black Doctors Matter at Johns Hopkins