Bringing About Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion with Dr. Upton Allen

Dr. Upton D. Allen is a Professor of Paediatrics at the University of Toronto. He is Head of the Division of Infectious Diseases at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids). Allen is also a Senior Associate Scientist in Child Health Evaluative Sciences program at SickKids Research Institute. His primary appointment is with the Division of Infectious Diseases in the Department of Paediatrics at SickKids. He is cross-appointed as a professor in the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto. Dr. Allen is leading research studies on different aspects of covid-19, including genetic susceptibility, immune response profiles within the black Canadian communities. In Ontario, he's leading studies addressing covid-19 antibody testing and associated risk profiles, as well as immune responses to covid-19 vaccines. In addition, he's working closely with various groups addressing issues relating to covid-19 among racialized groups, including, but not limited to vaccine education and hesitancy. He's co-chair of the Health Committee of the Black North Initiative with a focus on equity, diversity and inclusion within the health care system. Dr. Allen shares with us his work around equity, diversity, and inclusion, and the shifts that have occurred as a result of covid-19 as well as social change. He also shares ideas and steps that healthcare institutions and individuals can take to ensure equity, diversity, and inclusion are at the core of our work in healthcare.