Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Hello and welcome to the Department of Anesthesiology at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. My name is Jaleesa Jackson. I am an Interventional Pain physician and the director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) for the Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine. 

Diversity is the richness in human differences.  Inclusion is the valuation of diversity. At Thomas Jefferson University, we promote and cultivate an inclusive environment that values and cherishes the diversity of our people. As a scholarly community, our shared responsibility is to enhance the quality of life for all members of the Jefferson community, providing a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment in which to learn, work and grow. We believe that that a diverse and inclusive environment is key to achieving excellence in our missions of patient care, education and research. We believe that our mission and values create and nurture the physicians who provide compassionate and culturally-sensitive care to the patients that they serve.

As our Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, my goals for our department are to:

1. Expand the recruitment and retention of those traditionally underrepresented in medicine, including women, underrepresented minorities, and members of the LGBTQ community,
2. Promote and ensure cultural competency and antiracism education for trainees, faculty, and staff,
3. Engage our community with pipeline programs and mentorship with neighboring schools,
4. Assess our health outcomes to ensure we continue to deliver anesthetic care in an equitable manner.

We are strengthened by our differences. Having varied backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences makes us better learners, better teachers, and better clinicians. By promoting and celebrating these differences, we help to promote a culturally competent, inclusive environment for all.

Sincerely,

Jaleesa Jackson, MD

Assistant Professor
Director, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
Department of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine - Diversity