Winter 2025 (Volume 35, Number 4)

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Task Force Update

By Nicole Johnson, MD, FRCPC

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Members of the CRA EDI Task Force at a recent virtual meeting.

Amorell Saunders N’Daw continues to engage with the Canadian Rheumatology Association’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Task Force as an advisor and shared her thoughts on the collaboration: "I've worked with many organizations and committees and I have to say that the members of the CRA EDI Task Force bring a passion of purpose and commitment to promoting inclusive and equitable practices that is truly impressive in intent and execution." 

This summer, the EDI Task Force launched an inclusivity scan to gain deeper insight into how CRA members perceive the organization’s EDI initiatives. 

Members were invited to participate in focus groups or complete a survey. Three focus groups were held between July and September, bringing together a total of 11 participants. These sessions provided valuable feedback on the CRA’s EDI efforts, with participants offering thoughtful reflections and encouraging remarks about the organization’s commitment and progress. If you are still interested in providing your input through the survey, please reach out to estewart@rheum.ca.

The final report from the inclusivity scan will be completed once all survey responses are received and analyzed. This will occur after the publication deadline for this article. Once we have our finalized results, look for an update in the future!

Interested in Joining the EDI Task Force?

The EDI Task Force is actively seeking new members.

Current members share how the experience has impacted them:

“I joined the EDI Committee to deepen my understanding of equity, diversity, and inclusion and to learn from colleagues with diverse perspectives. Through this work, I have grown as an advocate and applied these insights to help improve the CRA's culture, member experience, and ultimately the care we provide to patients.” – Dr. Natasha Gakhal.

“It has been humbling to see the members of the CRA EDI Task Force come together to tackle the challenging but important work of advancing equity and inclusivity in our organization. I feel fortunate to work alongside such dedicated colleagues and am grateful to be a part of this effort.”– Dr. Alan Zhou.

“Being part of the EDI task force has enriched my understanding of others, fostering personal growth, compassion, and better communication.”
– Dr. Manisha Mulgund.

If you’re interested in contributing to this important work, please email info@rheum.ca to learn more or express your interest.

Nicole Johnson, MD, FRCPC
Pediatric Rheumatologist, Clinical Associate Professor,
University of Calgary
Chair, EDI Task Force, CRA
Calgary, Alberta