Originally published by UW Medicine’s Right as Rain It’s normal to feel unsure or even hesitant when your doctor suggests a treatment plan that doesn’t quite sit right. But speaking up is not only allowed — it’s encouraged. In this helpful article from Right as Rain, Dr. Adewunmi Nuga of UW Medicine offers five practical scripts to help you voice concerns, share your own research, ask for alternatives, or request… Read more: 5 Scripts to Use When You Disagree With Your Doctor

EthnoMed has launched a new podcast amplifying the voices of healthcare providers and community members working at the intersection of culture and medicine. The series features three recurring segments: The first episodes feature Harborview Medical Center providers sharing real stories from the clinic. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or visit the EthnoMed website to explore. What is EthnoMed? EthnoMed is Harborview Medical Center’s ethnic medicine website, developed for clinicians and… Read more: Now Streaming: The EthnoMed Podcast

The 2022 U.S. Transgender Survey (USTS) is the largest survey that examines the experiences of transgender people in the United States. The National Center for Transgender Equality (now Advocates for Trans Equality) conducted the survey in the fall of 2022 and 92,329 binary and nonbinary transgender respondents from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and U.S. military bases took the survey. The USTS was… Read more: Health & Well‑Being Findings from the 2022 U.S. Trans Survey

Juneteenth marks the end of chattel slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865, Black communities in Galveston Bay, Texas, learned they were free—more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation had been signed. The delay speaks to the deep injustices of slavery and the long road to liberation. Juneteenth invites both celebration and reflection. It is a time to honor the strength of Black communities, acknowledge the painful… Read more: Juneteenth: A Celebration of Freedom and Reflection

Celebrate Pride Month by honoring the legacy of the Stonewall Uprising and recognizing the contributions, resilience, and diversity of LGBTQ+ people. Learn about the origins of Pride, why supporting transgender and non-binary communities matters now more than ever, and how to get involved with local events, resources, and learning opportunities. Explore Pride history, events, and resources.

A recent article in WA Latino News examines the persistent language and cultural barriers that many Latino residents face when navigating healthcare in Seattle and across Washington state. The piece features Dr. Leo Morales, co-director of the Latino Center for Health and provider at UW Medicine’s LatinX Diabetes Clinic, who describes how a lack of bilingual, bicultural providers creates significant obstacles for Spanish-speaking patients. It also includes personal stories from… Read more: Article Highlights Language and Cultural Barriers in Healthcare for Latino Communities

What are your rights when seeking gender-affirming care in Washington? What does insurance cover, and where can you turn for support? In a special Pride Month episode of OIC Answers, the podcast from the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner, hosts Aaron and Matt speak with Washington State LGBTQ+ Commissioners Darlin Lozano and Sam Fennell. The conversation covers the Commission’s work, the challenges many face when accessing gender-affirming care,… Read more: Gender-Affirming Care and Insurance: New Podcast Episode

A new article in Frontiers in Public Health, “Let’s Not Steal Equity from Our Patients in the Name of Quality,” was co-authored by Edwin Lindo (Office of Healthcare Equity, Department of Family Medicine) along with Chelsea Hicks, Heather Barnett, Jennifer Shi, Julia Velonjara, Monica Vavilala, and Zaher Kmail—all affiliated with the University of Washington. The article explores how healthcare quality metrics often exclude equity, and argues that equity should be… Read more: UW Medicine Faculty Publish on Equity and Healthcare Quality

Dr. Tara Reid Awarded Burroughs Wellcome Fund Career Award for Medical Scientists Dr. Tara Reid, a board-certified specialist in internal medicine and infectious diseases, has been awarded the prestigious Career Award for Medical Scientists (CAMS) from the Burroughs Wellcome Fund. Based in Seattle, Dr. Reid earned both her MD and PhD in Pathobiology from the University of Washington. The CAMS award provides $700,000 over five years to support physician-scientists in… Read more: Dr. Tara Reid Receives Prestigious Grant to Advance Syphilis Vaccine Research

To the UW Medicine Community: The 2025 UW Medicine Inclusive Climate Survey is now open, and we are counting on you to participate. This survey is specifically for UW Medicine employees across clinical, research, and learning settings. Your responses will shape the direction of climate and equity work for the next two years. In 2023, more than 10,000 employees completed the survey. Their input led to real changes, including: This… Read more: Extended to July 11th! – Inclusive Climate Survey Now Open: Add Your Voice

A recent article titled “Doctor for a Day: The Impact of a Health Professions Enrichment Program on Self-Efficacy”, published in Frontiers in Medicine, spotlights the measurable impact of Doctor for a Day (DFAD), a hands-on health professions program run out of the UW Medicine Office of Healthcare Equity. The program is designed to inspire and encourage educationally and economically under resourced students to consider careers in medicine and healthcare. Authored… Read more: Doctor for a Day: Building Confidence, Skills, and Futures in Healthcare

Founded by Danisha Jefferson-Abye during 2020’s pandemic and racial justice movement, Tubman Health operates two South Seattle clinics with a third planned for 2027. Their innovative “Healing House” clinic emerged from extensive community design involving 24,000+ touchpoints from local residents. The organization takes a unique approach to healthcare, creating spaces where Western and alternative medicine are treated equally. At Tubman, primary care and mental health services are integrated with traditional… Read more: Tubman Health Brings Community-Owned Healthcare to South Seattle

Erica Crittendon, a graduating UWSOM medical student, has been awarded the 2025 Excellence in Public Health Award by the U.S. Public Health Service Physician Professional Advisory Committee. She was recognized for her leadership in HIV prevention, sexual health, and advocacy for underserved communities. Her work reflects a strong commitment to equity and justice in public health. Read the full story here.

The Recruitment and Retention Toolkit for Behavioral Health Organizations is now available! Created by the UW Behavioral Health Institute and Washington State Health Care Authority, this resource offers practical tools to support recruitment and retention. Designed for use across diverse settings, it includes best practices and templates to help organizations strengthen their workforce. Please share with others in the behavioral health field. Open the Toolkit Here (pdf)

Originally published by UW Medicine’s Right as Rain It’s normal to feel unsure or even hesitant when your doctor suggests a treatment plan that doesn’t… Read more: 5 Scripts to Use When You Disagree With Your Doctor

The 2022 U.S. Transgender Survey (USTS) is the largest survey that examines the experiences of transgender people in the United States. The National Center for… Read more: Health & Well‑Being Findings from the 2022 U.S. Trans Survey

A recent article in WA Latino News examines the persistent language and cultural barriers that many Latino residents face when navigating healthcare in Seattle and… Read more: Article Highlights Language and Cultural Barriers in Healthcare for Latino Communities

What are your rights when seeking gender-affirming care in Washington? What does insurance cover, and where can you turn for support? In a special Pride… Read more: Gender-Affirming Care and Insurance: New Podcast Episode

A new article in Frontiers in Public Health, “Let’s Not Steal Equity from Our Patients in the Name of Quality,” was co-authored by Edwin Lindo… Read more: UW Medicine Faculty Publish on Equity and Healthcare Quality

Founded by Danisha Jefferson-Abye during 2020’s pandemic and racial justice movement, Tubman Health operates two South Seattle clinics with a third planned for 2027. Their… Read more: Tubman Health Brings Community-Owned Healthcare to South Seattle

Erica Crittendon, a graduating UWSOM medical student, has been awarded the 2025 Excellence in Public Health Award by the U.S. Public Health Service Physician Professional… Read more: Erica Crittendon Receives National Excellence in Public Health Award

In recognition of Martin Luther King Day, the Department of Medicine Diversity Council, in partnership with UW Medicine, welcomes support and participation in the MLK Day… Read more: MLK Day Rally and March

Each week, the AAMC Center for Health Justice updates a list of funding opportunities that will support health equity research and interventions. Learn more about… Read more: AAMC Center for Health Justice Funding Opportunities

Today, December 3, is International Day of Persons with Disabilities! In 1992, a United Nations General Assembly resolution proclaimed this annual day of observance to “promote the… Read more: International Day of Persons with Disabilities

Health care is a fundamental human right, and for the first time, DACA recipients can enroll in Affordable Care Act (ACA) coverage! These affordable plans… Read more: Healthcare Available for DACA Recipients

A study of nearly 5,000 Black adults found that a higher resting heart rate was linked to an increased risk of new-onset atrial fibrillation (AFib),… Read more: Black adult AFib risk linked to higher resting heart rates

The University of Washington’s Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (UW LEND) program trains future leaders to advocate for individuals with developmental disabilities. Focused… Read more: Unlocking Potential: UW LEND’s Commitment to Inclusive Leadership and Advocacy

Fred Hutch Cancer Center’s 4th Annual Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Progress Report spotlights their ongoing work across four key areas: Health Equity, Employee Engagement and… Read more: 2024 Fred Hutch Cancer Center DEI Annual Progress Report