Respect, Responsibility and Empowerment in Medicine (RREM) Curriculum

Systemic racism and inequities exist within academic institutions and throughout our training communities. We have an obligation to raise awareness, engage in self-reflection, and identify actionable ways to combat racism and inequities within our own communities and nationwide.

Mission

The Respect, Responsibility and Empowerment in Medicine (RREM) residency curriculum was first launched in the 2020-21 academic year for the Department of Psychiatry residency and fellowship programs at Western Psychiatric Hospital within the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. This novel curriculum is aimed at creating a longitudinal experience that addresses racism and sources of inequity within medicine and psychiatry. This curriculum educates trainees about the history and roots of racism and inequity, while also addressing the current impact of racism and inequities on their own practice.

Dr. Walker — Child Fellow, C. Haley Walker, MD, received first place for her RREM poster on bias in narrative evaluations at the 2023 American Association of Directors of Psychiatry Residency Training (AADPRT) meeting.

Over this four-year curriculum, residents and fellows learn about the social constructs of race and inequity, gain awareness about specific systemic contributors in medicine and psychiatry, develop skills allowing them to serve as allies and advocates for patients and within our professional communities, and foster an ability to pass along their knowledge to fellow trainees and colleagues. By the end of their training, residents and fellows will have gained confidence in practicing fully equitable, responsible and respectful psychiatry with all of our patients and communities.

Structure

RREM is part of the standardized teaching curriculum for all psychiatry residents throughout the entirety of their training. The curriculum includes four foundational sessions for all new interns during orientation, and continues with monthly training sessions throughout PGY1, PGY2, PGY3, and PGY4. The hour-long RREM sessions take place monthly during protected time to ensure residents are able to fully engage, and are discussion based, interactive, often utilizing small groups.

As difficult topics are discussed, RREM sessions are kept confidential and consist of residents only to help ensure a safe space for sharing. Twice per year, the RREM hour is used to debrief on topics previously covered and elicit feedback from resident participants. RREM's steering and executive committees work to make sure the content of each session remains current.

To learn about other initiatives undertaken by our Department to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusivity, please visit our community page.

RREM Session Topics

Contact

Two Columns

RREM Steering Committee

The RREM Steering Committee includes the Office of Residency Training and resident leaders. This committee meets weekly and drives the day-to-day progress of the RREM curriculum.

Michael Travis, MD, Residency Training Director
Sansea Jacobson, MD, Child Training Director
Piper Carroll, MD, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry
Morgan Faeder, MD, PhD, Associate Training Director for Ambulatory Training
Abigail Geisler, DO, Associate Training Director for Inpatient Training
Isaiah Crum, MD, PGY4, Chief Resident for DEI
Erica Smith, MD, PGY5, DEI Committee Representative
Grace Wood, MD, PGY3, DEI Committee Representative

RREM Executive Committee

The RREM Executive Committee is a larger group of faculty who work to support session creation and modernization.

Kristen Eckstrand, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry
Jessica Gannon, MD, Associate Professor of Psychiatry
Jody Glance, MD, Associate Professor of Psychiatry
Priya Gopalan, MD, Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences
Darcy Moschenross, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry
Sarah Pedersen, PhD, Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Psychology
Justin Schreiber, DO, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics
Wesley Sowers, MD, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry
Meredith Spada, MD, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry
Esther Teverovsky, MD, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry
Rameshwari Tumuluru, MD, Professor of Psychiatry