The University of California (UCSF) Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care has named Leah Pimentel as their inaugural Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), and Culture.
Pimentel previously served UCSF as the Assistant Director of Community Relations at the Office of Community & Government Relations. She brings more than 17 years of experience in healthcare, technology, and non-profit as a dynamic consultant leading cultural and operational change to the role.
“In this position, I am looking forward to establishing a culture that is a reflection of what this department and the university stands for,” stated Pimentel. “We want to provide a work environment that staff, fellows, residents, and staff enjoy spending time in, that is inclusive around gender, age, race and sexual orientation, and that gets people excited, proud and appreciative of the culture.”
DIVERSITY & INCLUSION SUCCESS
Pimentel will develop and implement a creative and comprehensive suite of programmes, trainings, events and resources to support and enhance employee culture in the areas of DEI, wellbeing, development, recruitment, and retention. She will be leading and rebranding the Anesthesia Staff Committee for Elevating and Nurturing Diversity (ASCEND); and working on the annual department DEI report to highlight concrete actions the department is taking to create a more just and equitable workplace in collaboration with Odi Ehie, Vice Chair for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, and Assistant Clinical Professor, Anesthesia.
This work builds on Pimentel’s previous successes with DEI outreach at UCSF. A natural organiser and empathiser, Pimentel has a strong history of bringing understanding and “aha moments” to participants in DEI education and outreach events. Some recent wins for Pimentel include co-leading a DEI Book Club for Layla Saad’s Me and White Supremacy: Combat Racism, Change the World, and Become a Good Ancestor in conjunction with UCSF’s LGBT & Multicultural Resource Centers and the UCSF Library, and partnering on the UCSF Vendor Diversity Outreach event with Real Estate in which more than 300 small, micro, minority and LGBT businesses participated.
Check out our Movers and Shakers section, for more new appointments and diversity champions in the DE&I/sustainability/wellbeing space.
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