How to Embrace Antiracism as a US Plastic Surgeon: Definitions, Principles, and Practice

• Published in: Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open Vol. 8; no. 9; p. e3185
• Main Authors: Bradford, Perry S., DeGeorge, Brent R., Williams, Steven H., Butler, Paris D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hagerstown, MD Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 01-09-2020; Copyright The Authors. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. on behalf of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. All rights reserved; Wolters Kluwer
• Subjects: Plastic Surgery Focus; Special Topic
• ISSN: 2169-7574; 2169-7574
• DOI: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000003185

The United States’s overdue awakening on systemic and structural racism has triggered global dialogue regarding racial inequities. Historically, discrimination and practitioner bias have resulted in poorer health and health outcomes in minority communities. To address racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare, it is imperative that plastic surgeons, trainees, and staff understand definitions to create a socially conscious environment in the workplace. We explore various measures that can be implemented to develop antiracist practices in the field of plastic surgery and ultimately to provide a foundation to improve diversity within our discipline and beyond.