Diversity in Medicine With Dr. Christopher Irobunda

Healthcare workers have finally begun to face an uncomfortable reality: racial and economic disparities impact hospitals, universities, and medical schools just as much as they do other areas of life. And while there have been some improvements, the journey to health equality is far from over. 

For medical schools, the pipeline for students from underrepresented backgrounds is limited by factors like access to resources, quality education, and mentorship. This lack of diversity can have serious consequences: a less diverse medical workforce means there is often a disconnect between the people providing care and the patients receiving it. 

This is the very problem Dr. Christopher Irobunda works hard to address. As the Vice Chair of Faculty Development focusing on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the Department of Medicine at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, Dr. Irobounda is tasked with helping to reduce this gap–which, in his view, is about more than equality. "In both medicine and education, promoting diversity is not just about fairness; it's about achieving better outcomes for everyone."

Why Diversity Matters in Healthcare

Why does diversity matter in hospitals and medical schools? For Dr. Irobunda, the answer is simple: the best way to care for a diverse community is to have a workforce that reflects that population. 

Current research supports this conclusion. A 2021 study found that patients tend to feel more at ease and listened to when their doctor shares their cultural or ethnic background.  And a 2023 report highlighted that diversity in medical education produces doctors who are more culturally competent and prepared to address the health challenges in diverse communities.

Through his own research, Irobunda discovered a stark gap at Columbia: "We serve a population where 43% of our patients come from underrepresented communities, but only 6% of our students and doctors come from those same communities."

That imbalance, he says, is part of what he's working to change. "When patients see doctors who come from similar backgrounds, they feel heard, understood, and respected. That trust translates into better communication and, ultimately, better health outcomes."

Making a Difference

With support from leadership, Dr. Irobunda and colleagues formed an executive committee aimed at increasing pathways into the medical field. Each division within the Department of Medicine appointed leaders to focus specifically on diversity, discussing challenges and strategies to promote inclusivity. Through this method, the committee has created initiatives that recruit and support students from underrepresented communities, help current students at Columbia, and improve the pipeline for students interested in becoming fellows and faculty.

The summer research program, in partnership with the City University of New York (CUNY), gives underrepresented students hands-on experience and mentorship in medicine. 

This initiative is specifically spearheaded by Dr. Irobunda. "For me, this is what diversity is – to bring these young kids from three or four bus stops or train stops away from Columbia, who are going to colleges where nobody wants to think of. I believe these students will become interventional cardiologists, chiefs of divisions, and department heads. This program is giving them that chance."

Providing Much-Needed Support

Another initiative focuses on recruiting and supporting residency applicants. The executive committee offers workshops to help applicants prepare for the residency application and interview process. 

"I meet with every residency applicant alongside the executive committee," says Dr. Irobunda. "It's important that they know we care about their journey and that we're committed to helping them succeed." As a result of these efforts, more residents from underrepresented backgrounds were accepted into Columbia's general cardiology program this past year.

The committee also works to evaluate the experiences of current students and continuously strategizes on how to improve the pipeline for those aspiring to become faculty members. "How do we make sure when the students come they feel supported? They feel that they are in an environment that is going to allow them to grow and that what they say and who they are, are respected and they feel belonged and they feel they can try."  

Beyond mentoring, Dr. Irobunda emphasizes the importance of having master clinicians who can share their experiences and methods. "Having master clinicians as mentors ensures that the next generation learns from the best, not just technically, but in how they care for patients on a human level." 

For Dr. Irobunda, being a "master clinician" also means understanding and respecting the community. It's about seeing patients as individuals shaped by their social circumstances. "Community is critical for our education—our medical students, residents, and fellows learn by treating patients from the community, and without them, our academic center wouldn't thrive," he explains. "And that's where the importance of diversity comes in."

Pushing Forward

Much of Dr. Irobunda’s passion for these initiatives stems from his personal journey. Coming from an underrepresented background himself, he's intimately familiar with the challenges faced by those trying to break into medicine. 

"I've been where many of these students are," he reflects. "But I told myself that you can't really be thinking about what you went through; you have to switch it over to use it to change things and make things better for those going through the doors behind you."

By creating opportunities for underrepresented students, supporting them through mentorship and community engagement, and building a pipeline for future leaders in medicine, Dr. Irobunda is doing just that–laying the groundwork for a more inclusive future.