Dear faculty, students, and staff,

In June 2021, following a period of discovery and engagement, I established the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Working Group to develop an EDI strategy to support a healthy learning and work environment for all members of the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy.

As part of the strategy, I requested the Working Group develop recommendations on:

  • A Statement of Commitment which will provide a framework for the EDI strategy for the Faculty
  • Development of EDI training opportunities for all members of our community to address issues of unconscious bias, mistreatment, and implementation of EDI into practice
  • Incorporation of the principles of EDI in our recruitment and career advancement practices for faculty, staff, and students
  • Ensuring the makeup of our committees and decision-making bodies is inclusive and works to reflect the diversity of our department and Canadian society
  • Identifying engagement opportunities within the University of Toronto and broader communities to promote EDI within pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences
  • Ensuring that our programs and curricula prepare our graduates to meet the needs of the diverse communities they will serve in their careers in Canada and around the world
  • Development of a data strategy to collect, maintain and interpret data on EDI
  • Development of a mechanism/framework for feedback and complaints process within the Faculty

I am pleased to share that I received the Strategy document from the Working Group and look forward to reviewing it over the next few weeks. This report is an important step in furthering our EDI initiatives at the Faculty. It identifies key areas for action along with recommendations for implementation.

Throughout the creation of the report, the Working Group consulted various members of our Faculty community as well as experts internal and external to U of T. As we move this important work forward toward action and implementation, there will be additional opportunities for engagement and discussion across the Faculty. I look forward to sharing the Working Group report and forthcoming action plan over the coming months.

I would like to thank all members of the EDI Working Group for their efforts to date, including co-chairs Professor Jillian Kohler and Lachmi Singh, Director, Education Programs and Administrative Services.

At the heart of our EDI efforts is the commitment to intentionally foster an environment of inclusive excellence that will help us realize our full potential across our education and research programs. And, as a leading health sciences Faculty at one of the top academic institutions in the world, we have an important role to play in creating healthier, more inclusive societies.

I look forward to continuing to work together in these efforts. 

Sincerely,

Lisa Dolovich,
Professor & Dean
Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy
University of Toronto