Diversity and Inclusion

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

We value and embrace people of all races, ethnicities, ages, gender identities, sexual orientations and religious backgrounds, and those who are under-represented in medicine. We are committed to unifying through diversity and inclusion. We strive to recruit, retain and develop individuals who embody this culture of acceptance.
– Inova Pediatric Residency

Diversity and Inclusion Committee:

The Diversity and Inclusion Committee consists of residents and faculty members who are committed to keeping diversity and inclusion in medicine at the forefront of our program. The committee meets regularly to create initiatives to enhance diversity and inclusion in the residency program. The committee also serves as a way to provide support and mentorship to trainees.

Committee Chairs: Kamilah Halmon, MD, and Natalie McKnight, MD

Resident Chair: Masouma Mohamed, MD

Faculty Members: Annette Ansong, MD, Annalise D'Andrade, MD, Katherine Moyer, DO, Henna Qureshi, DO, and Christine Pham, MD

Diverse Patient Population:

Residents are able to care for a diverse patient population that encompasses a broad geographic area. All residents, regardless of their continuity clinic location, spend one month per year at the Inova Cares Clinic for Children (ICCC), which serves as a National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA)-recognized Patient-Centered Medical Home for children up to 21 years of age. The clinic primarily serves patients who are either uninsured or have Medicaid. Approximately 80 percent of their patient population identifies as Hispanic/Latino, and more than 20 languages are spoken by their patients.

Within the pediatric residency program there are also opportunities to participate in global health and advocacy outreach. Previous graduates have completed trips to Honduras and Tanzania, as well as countries in the Middle East.

Educational/Outreach Experiences:

Community Pediatrics

During their second year, residents participate in a month-long Community Pediatrics rotation. Residents are asked to perform and reflect upon a home visit, volunteer in their community and participate in a longitudinal partnership with the Pregnant and Parenting Teen program at Bryant High School, a local Fairfax County public school. Residents visit the class every week, leading discussions on a variety of pertinent topics. To better understand the population served and community resources available, residents participate in a large-scale scavenger hunt during which they go to the WIC office and navigate public transportation and shop for groceries using the budget of what a family of four would qualify for on Medicaid.

Fourth-Year Elective

We are pleased to offer an elective for students underrepresented in medicine (URM). This elective will allow fourth-year medical students who identify as URM to serve as Acting Interns on a general pediatric ward for a four week rotation. A stipend of up to $2,500 will be provided to cover the cost of application fees, travel, housing and meals.

This program will be open to individuals from backgrounds Underrepresented in Medicine. Applicants must be currently enrolled at an LCME accredited medical school. Applications will be considered based on merit, availability of stipend funds, and availability of open elective spaces between July and August of 2021. Visiting students must follow the UVA School of Medicine Inova Campus academic calendar.

Application requirements:

1. Completed VSLO application
2. Official medical school transcript
3. Curriculum Vitae
4. Completed supplemental application form
5. Brief Statement discussing interest in this elective and importance of diversity in medicine

Please email komal.bajaj@inova.org with any questions.

Proximity to Washington, DC:

Inova Children's Hospital's proximity to Washington, DC, allows for participation in local, regional and national movements with excellent opportunities for advocacy.