Librarians as Chief Diversity Officers in American Universities: A Clinical Librarian’s Experience

Abstract

This article concerns a clinical librarian's work as a chief diversity officer to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in healthcare and medical education at an American university. The need for healthcare professionals to have access to resources that can assist them with providing equitable care to all patients grows in tandem with the increasing significance of DEI in healthcare. These resources can only be provided by medical librarians. Medical librarians are uniquely positioned to provide these resources. From a unique perspective, a librarian serving as chief diversity officer for a multi-campus medical school in the United States can help ensure that these resources are culturally responsive and appropriate for diverse patient populations. This article discusses the benefits of appointing a clinical librarian as a chief diversity officer (CDO), promoting and increasing awareness of DEI issues through library resources, and the potential for creating more inclusive healthcare information.