A Call to Action: Cultivating a Diverse Radiology Workforce (2026)-WEB1921-2026

Video Transcription

Video Summary

RSNA hosted a webinar, “A Call to Action: Cultivating a Diverse Radiology Workforce,” moderated by Dr. Lucy Spalluto. Panelists Drs. Yoshimi Anzai, Gwendolyn Bryant‑Smith, Meredith Englander, Anand Narayan, and Charlotte Yong‑Hing shared strategies to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in radiology, noting persistent gaps: women are ~50% of medical graduates but ~25% of radiologists, and underrepresented minorities are ~10% of graduates but <7% of radiologists. The panel emphasized that DEI improves excellence, innovation, workplace culture, patient satisfaction, and outcomes.<br /><br />Key recommendations included intentional recruitment (active outreach rather than passive ads), diverse search committees (e.g., “one-third” representation goals), and integrating DEI contributions into promotion criteria (e.g., mentorship and equity work). Unconscious bias training was highlighted as foundational; RSNA has mandated it for leadership, though audience polling showed many institutions still do not offer it.<br /><br />Panelists stressed that recruitment without inclusion harms retention; inclusive culture and allyship are essential to prevent “checkbox” hiring and leaky pipelines. Practical pipeline approaches included early exposure (K–12 through medical school), interactive events, radiology interest groups, and partnering with technologists to reach community colleges and underserved schools. RSNA’s targeted grants for underrepresented minority medical students were cited as a successful model.<br /><br />Barriers discussed included limited time/funding and lukewarm leadership support. Solutions included embedding DEI into departmental “DNA,” providing protected time and administrative support, aligning DEI with existing committees (quality/safety, education), recognizing DEI work, and avoiding burnout by distributing responsibility beyond URM and women faculty. The panel also addressed supporting LGBTQ and disability inclusion through respectful language, normalizing pronouns, and visible allyship.

Keywords

RSNA webinar

diversity equity and inclusion

radiology workforce diversity

intentional recruitment

diverse search committees

unconscious bias training

inclusive culture and retention

pipeline programs K-12 to medical school

promotion criteria for DEI contributions

allyship LGBTQ and disability inclusion