Lucy Spalluto, MD, MPH, has been named the first vice chair of Health Equity in the Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, a position established in response to VUMC’s continued commitment to equal and fair health for all.
In this role, Spalluto will oversee the department’s health equity-focused initiatives, including the development of educational programming, and will help establish community-based partnerships to address health disparities.
“While our diversity and inclusion efforts have focused on the health care workforce, our health equity efforts will focus on improving health outcomes for diverse populations,” said Spalluto. “Radiology’s commitment to provide departmental resources and infrastructure to address health disparities provides an opportunity to improve health for all. These efforts can serve as an innovative model for other institutions.”
Spalluto, also associate director of Radiology’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion and Women in Radiology program, will focus on community, research and learning to build upon VUMC’s existing health equity initiatives. She will work closely with Consuelo Wilkins, MD, MSCI, VUMC’s Vice President of Health Equity, to ensure the department’s efforts align with those of the Medical Center.
“I applaud the Department of Radiology’s commitment to advancing health equity and to understanding and addressing systemic issues that contribute to health disparities,” said Wilkins. “Dr. Spalluto’s new role aligns with our vision of integrating health equity across the Medical Center, and I look forward to working with her on health equity initiatives that build on Radiology’s innovative programs.”
The department is already planning a Radiology Grand Rounds on health equity featuring Wilkins and Elisa Friedman, MS, assistant vice president for Community and Population Health in VUMC’s Office of Health Equity, in March.
“We are thrilled that Dr. Spalluto will be our inaugural vice chair of Health Equity,” said Reed Omary, MD, MS, Carol D. and Henry P. Pendergrass Professor and chair of the Department of Radiology. “Dr. Spalluto will catalyze much-needed attention toward health equity within the entire field of radiology, just as she successfully did when launching our Women in Radiology program.”