UCI School of Medicine Recognizes Women's History Month 2024

This month, we proudly commemorate Women’s History Month, and in particular, celebrate the national Women’s History Month theme of “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.” Just like our School of Medicine’s tripartite mission to Discover. Teach. Heal, we know that the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion in healthcare do not operate in isolation; rather, they form a distinct synergy that aspires to produce more than the sum of their individual parts.

Susan La Fleche, MD

Gender equity in the United States has always been an intersectional movement, necessarily incorporating gender with other identities including but not limited to, race, ethnicity, religion, citizenship and socioeconomic status. These intersections were reflected through the life and work of Dr. La Fleche, the first Native person to earn a medical degree in the United States.

DR. La Fleche'S Profile

Rakhi Dayal, MD

Dr. Dayal is an associate professor in the Department of Anesthesiology and the head of the department diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) committee. Her leadership has spawned significant accomplishments in the areas of education, professional development, policy creation, sustainability and medical care.

 DR. Dayal's Profile

Rebecca Bennett, MD

In the Department of Radiological Sciences, Rebecca Bennett, MD, HS assistant clinical professor, serves a parallel role as the chair of her department’s DEI committee, of which she has been a member since residency. Her dedication to the department has been characterized by a steadfast commitment to mentorship.

DR. Bennett's Profile 

Jessica Campos, MD

Jessica Campos, MD, PGY-5 in the Department of Neurological Surgery, has been praised by her colleagues and senior leadership for her significant contributions to research, patient care, mentorship, and professional service. She has been a part of several regional and national committees, serving in both appointed and elected positions.     

DR. Campos Profile 

We extend our gratitude to these physicians and all other advocates for the advancement of women and female-identifying persons throughout the UCI campus. With our community in mind, we would lastly like to highlight an additional opportunity for recognition: the 11^th annual UC Irvine Dynamic Womxn Awards, sponsored annually by our campus partners in the Womxn’s Center for Success. We encourage you all to nominate your champions of inclusive excellence for these campuswide recognitions. The deadline for nominations is April 1, 2024. 

Moving forward, it is part of our mission as an institution of higher education to not only do our part to record the diverse history of our School of Medicine community, but to further support and amplify individuals and programs that offer opportunities for all people to engage with history to fulfill our mission: Discover. Teach. Heal.