A Physician’s Story Highlights the Critical Need for DEI in Oncology
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Despite comprising 13 percent of the U.S.population, only 2-3 percent of medical oncologists identify as Black, a disparity one physician argues is directly linked to the dismantling of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. The experience of Jacquelyne Gaddy, a gastrointestinal medical oncologist at Yale school of Medicine, underscores the pivotal role these programs play in fostering a diverse healthcare workforce and improving patient outcomes.
The Doorway to Oncology
gaddy recounts a turning point in her medical education: an email in 2011 inviting her to apply for a program designed for underrepresented students interested in oncology. “Without hesitation, I submitted my submission,” she shares, explaining that this rotation provided her first real exposure to the field. Before this chance, she acknowledges it was entirely possible she would have completed her training without ever directly caring for a cancer patient. Nearly 15 years later, Gaddy attributes a meaningful portion of her success to this early intervention. “I worked hard to arrive here, but I also wonder if my career path would have been possible if it were not for the opportunity afforded to me during medical school.”
The Threat to Progress
This crucial pathway for underrepresented students is now under threat. A recent report highlighting the stark racial disparity in oncology has been followed by actions from the Trump management to ban and defund DEI programs. As a direct consequence, minority students are facing increased barriers to exploring careers in medicine, and medical school classes are becoming less diverse due to altered recruitment practices. These decisions, Gaddy warns, will inevitably lead to a less diverse healthcare workforce and, ultimately, a less healthy public.
Data demonstrates a clear link between patient and provider race and optimized medical care. Furthermore, increased portrayal of Black physicians has been shown to improve survival rates among Black patients.
The Power of DEI Initiatives
DEI initiatives were established to address historical marginalization and level the playing field for underrepresented students facing systemic barriers like structural racism. In medicine, these initiatives have taken the form of “pathway programs” offering personalized training and fostering supportive communities. These programs provide a safe space for students to ask questions and address vulnerabilities, exposing them to career paths they might or else never have considered.
“DEI allows first-generation students to build a resume that positions them for future success,” Gaddy explains. “It gives students the opportunity to create a legacy that is not limited by the colour of their skin,the sound of their voice,the pronoun that they prefer,or the neighborhood that they grew up in.”
However,the very term “DEI” is increasingly viewed with suspicion,even considered “dangerous and at times inappropriate” in some circles as of 2025. This sentiment is particularly concerning given the core principles of DEI: Diversity – welcoming all voices; Equity – ensuring everyone has the resources to succeed; and Inclusion – fostering a sense of belonging. Far from being controversial, Gaddy argues, DEI should be a national priority.
Acknowledging Concerns and Charting a Path Forward
While largely focused on marginalized communities, Gaddy acknowledges that DEI initiatives can sometimes lead to feelings of disadvantage among others. She suggests this points to a need for evolution, not abolition, ensuring all voices are heard and considered in future program development. A visual representation of the demographic breakdown of medical oncologists would further illustrate the need for DEI initiatives.
A Legacy Built on Opportunity
Gaddy’s own journey is a testament to the power of opportunity. She credits her success to the sacrifices of her single mother and grandmother, her education at Spelman College, and, crucially, the DEI program she participated in as a medical student. “DEI will not solve all challenges that the future of health care faces,but it is certainly part of the solution,” she asserts.”DEI is not dangerous. But the dismantling of it likely will be dangerous for our future.”
Jacquelyne Gaddy is an oncologist.
