SVS Publishes Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Supplement Addressing Challenges and Opportunities Within the Specialty

August 2, 2021—The Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) announced the publication of a 2021 supplement focused on diversity in Journal of Vascular Surgery (2021;74:S1S-132S).

The supplement, entitled “Creating Success in Comprehensive Vascular Surgical Care through Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion,” includes a broad range of perspectives on the challenges SVS faces to improving opportunity and health outcomes for all.

Bernadette Aulivola, MD; Dawn Marie Coleman, MD, and Joseph L. Mills, MD, served as guest editors for the publication.

Ronald L. Dalman, MD, SVS President during the document’s creation, authored the supplement’s introduction. Dr. Dalman commented that the supplement’s summary of “what we have learned and how to move forward is the measure of the moment.” That measurement’s precedent, he wrote in the supplement introduction, is the 2010 Journal of Vascular Surgery diversity supplement (2010;51:S1-S58). The 2010 publication focused primarily on vascular health outcome disparities among underrepresented minority populations. “This year’s update turns that focus inward, to challenges within the profession itself,” noted Dr. Dalman.

According to SVS, the diversity supplement covers 16 topic areas. These include a review of health care disparities in vascular surgery, mentorship, inclusion and retention opportunities and challenges, and pay disparities. Additionally, it covers a study into bias and letters of recommendation. The document includes a glossary of terminology and concepts relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). The list is designed to provide the vascular surgery community with a common vocabulary to help propel change toward improved DEI policies, practices, and culture.

SVS stated that the new supplement advances on the promise and vision of its 2010 predecessor, and the society aims to implement the structural changes necessary to ensure the future of SVS and the wellness and professional success of its evolving membership.

Dr. Aulivola, who served as Chair of the SVS DEI Task Force that was created in 2019, commented in the society’s announcement, “The SVS is deeply committed to understanding inequities related to gender, race, ethnicity, age, and sexual orientation and developing strategies to make meaningful changes.”

“Scientific and anecdotal research has shown us that many vascular surgeons are working tirelessly to address disparities within health care, but new approaches are essential in making continued progress,” continued Dr. Aulivola. “Publications like this supplement serve to enhance our understanding of current status of diversity-related issues in vascular surgery. The focused efforts of the SVS DEI committee will assure that we become a stronger specialty that is better equipped to care for a diverse patient population.”