Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Engaging with the world through a JEDI lens demonstrates how we value people in general. It is not only about our members feeling respected, but also about our patients feeling understood and safe.

What is JEDI?


Justice - Identifying and removing barriers that prevent diversity, equity, and inclusion of difference. Making fair and ethical decisions about the distribution of opportunities and resources through interpersonal and institutional engagement.
(Resource: searle.northwestern.edu/focus-areas/deij/defining-deij.html)

Equity - Being fair and impartial as an individual engages with an organization or system. Involves taking account of policies, initiatives, and practices and taking action to address (dis)advantages based on difference. Often confused with "equality," equity implies that an individual may need to experience or receive something different (not equal to or the same as something or someone else) to maintain fairness and access. Everyone has a fair opportunity to attain their full potential.
(Resources: brandeis.edu/diversity/about/definitions.htmlaafp.org/membership/initiatives/diversity-equity-and-inclusion.html; and searle.northwestern.edu/focus-areas/deij/defining-deij.html)

Diversity - Differences of people with respect to, but not limited by, race; ethnicity; color; religion; background; national or geographic origin; age; gender, gender identity or expression; socioeconomic status; language; sexual orientation; (dis)ability status; education; thoughts; political perspective; and skills, among others.
(Resources: diversity.umich.edu/about/defining-dei and aafp.org/membership/initiatives/diversity-equity-and-inclusion.html

Inclusion - Deliberately and authentically welcoming and valuing differences. Different perspectives are respectfully heard and brought into all into processes, activities, leadership and opportunities, and decision/policy making. Every individual feels a sense of belonging and has the opportunity to participate.
(Resources: diversity.umich.edu/about/defining-deiracialequitytools.org/glossaryaafp.org/membership/initiatives/diversty-equity-and-inclusion.html)

Sheri Belafsky, MD, MS, FACOEM
Committee Chair

Sheri Belafsky, MD, MS, FACOEM
First Vice President
University of California, Davis

Dr. Belafsky is board-certified in occupational and environmental medicine and a fellow in the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. She is the medical director of the UC Davis Medical Surveillance Program, where she has worked since 2008.  Dr. Belafsky completed residency training in Occupational and Environmental Medicine and a Master of Science degree in Public Health Science and Policy at UC Irvine and received her M.D. from Tulane University School of Medicine.  In her work as director of the UC Davis Medical Surveillance Program, she collaborates with employers to identify potential workplace health hazards and designs medical surveillance programs for their employees.  She currently serves as First Vice President for the Western Occupational and Environmental Medical Association (WOEMA) and is active in planning continuing medical educational content for both WOEMA and the UC Davis Center for Occupational & Environmental Health.