Advocacy and Belonging
Our Mission
At the LSU Department of Pediatrics, Advocacy and Belonging are central to our mission. We recognize that a diverse and inclusive environment enriches our academic community and enhances the quality of care we provide. Our department is dedicated to fostering a culture of respect and belonging for all individuals regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status or background. Through active engagement continuous education and equitable practices, we strive to create a supportive atmosphere that promotes excellence in medical education research and patient care. Together, we are committed to advancing health equity and ensuring that our all voices are heard and valued within our department and beyond.
PUMA aims to create a welcoming and supportive culture, which is an essential ingredient for successful training, professional sustainability, and compassionate healthcare delivery. By uniting and one another, and growing our workforce diversity, we ultimately improve the health and well-being of our patients and families.
Our Mission
We celebrate and support members of our community across all areas of diversity including, but not limited to: race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, gender, and disability.
We foster collaboration and a sense of belonging across CHNOLA, Tulane, LSU, and the greater New Orleans community through:
- Mentorship
- Education and Scholarly Activity
- Community Outreach
- Social Engagement
TCHOUP is dedicated to eradicating healthcare disparities and improving the health and well-being of our community through outreach programs and events. We aim to increase exposure, mentorship, resources, and opportunities in pediatrics for students in Louisiana with the goal of cultivating a more diverse healthcare workforce that authentically reflects our patient population.
Program Overview
TCHOUP is a free one-day outreach program designed to increase exposure, access, resources and opportunities in pediatric health professions for students from underrepresented or disadvantaged backgrounds. TCHOUP's goal is to support students as they explore various career paths and begin to shape their professional identity. The program includes interactive sessions, career panel discussions, skills workshops, and cultivates meaningful interactions between participants, pediatricians, surgeons, nurses, medical students and other health professionals.
Program Goals
- Expose underrepresented students to opportunities available in pediatric health professions.
- Facilitate interactions between participants, medical students, physicians, nurses, and other health professionals.
- Encourage students to begin shaping their professional identity.
- Empower students to make more informed career decisions in the future.
- Increase the number of underrepresented students entering the health professions.
LSU Pediatrics team participating in a Thanksgiving drive for patient families 2024