2025 AIAMC National Initiative Impact Award

The Alliance of Independent Academic Medicinal Centers' (AIAMC) National Initiative (NI) Impact Award is presented annually to an institutional member who completed a NI project at least two years previously and has proven sustainability and outcomes. Aurora Health Care was one of only two recipients chosen for this honor based upon its groundbreaking work in NI VIII’s “JEDI”: Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion – Creating an Inclusive Clinical Learning Environment. Aurora had multiple residency specific project teams (eg, reducing disparities in blood pressure / HTN, creating a more welcoming clinical environment for the LGBTQ Community). Standing Up to Patient Microaggressions was an Academic Affairs /Medical Educaton wide project. Having a colleague “stand up” (rather than stand by) to address microaggressions, even if it isn’t always successful, demonstrates to the recipient that we don’t accept this behavior and that they belong on the team. Five hundred participants have completed the workshop at the time of the award, with 100% of evaluation respondents committed to being an “upstander” against microaggressions and 97% recommending the workshop to colleagues. The award was accepted by Drs. Deborah Simpson and Jacob Bidwell at the AIAMC Annual Meeting held March 20-22, 2025, in New Orleans, LA.