MSDC Announces Unconscious Bias Task Force

Being a physician in the District in the 21st century means being on the front line of the most pressing public health issues in the world. In our small geographic boundaries, physicians help address issue found in every state all in one area. The issues are too lengthy to list on one webpage but physicians are on the front lines of addressing health issues for all District residents.

News, Statements, and Testimony on Health Equity Issues

25th Council session information coming soon.

MSDC Announces Unconscious Bias Task Force

Feb 18, 2020, 09:05 AM by MSDC Staff

MSDC has created a task force on unconscious bias in medicine and welcomes your involvement.

In December, the MSDC Board of Directors approved the creation of a new task force on unconscious bias in medicine in the District. Today, the task force is pleased to share its preliminary members and mission.

The task force is charged with examining if/how unconscious bias plays a role in medicine in the District of Columbia and what strategies can be used to combat its effects. The task force will interview leaders in this field - both medical and non-medical - and use this information to create a series of recommendations for physicians. As the professional society for physicians in the District, MSDC's task force will serve as importance guidance on how ALL physicians and health professionals can ensure their medical practice is as free from unconscious bias as possible.

MSDC welcomes any physician interested in this task force to join and participate. For more information please contact Robert Hay Jr. at 202.466.1800 x101 or hay@msdc.org.

The task force will be chaired by Dr. Matthew Lecuyer, MD, MPH. Dr. Lecuyer is an emergency medicine physician at Children's National Hospital in Washington, DC. Current task force members include:

Tamika Augste, MD; Chair OBGYB Clinical Practice Council, MedStar
Kim Bullock, MD, FAAP; Chair, MSDC Task Force on Family Violence
Laurie Duncan, MBBS, FACP, MS; Member, MSDC Executive Committee and MSDC Physician Health Program
Isela Melendez-Carpio, M.Ed., Georgetown University School of Medicine
Alicia Khan; Medical Student
Marjorie Williams, MD
J. Desiree Pineda, MD, FACP; President, MSDC (ex officio)

Information on meeting schedules and procedures will follow in the coming weeks.

Sample of Health Equity Legislation MSDC Tracked

Student Access to Treatment Amendment Act (B23-467)

What does it say? The bill allows for the administration of medicinal marijuana in schools as well as allows students to bring sunscreen to schools and apply it without a prescription.

MSDC position: MSDC supports the language permitting sunscreen application in schools

Current status: A win for DC physicians and public health! The legislation passed the Council in February and was signed by the Mayor. Previous temporary and emergency legislation permitted students to use sunscreen at schools this school year already.

Electronic Medical Order for Scope of Treatment Registry Amendment Act (B23-261)

What does it say? The bill requires DC Health to establish an electronic Medical Order for Scope of Treatment registry (eMOST).

MSDC position: MSDC supports this legislation to more easily allow patients to make their treatment orders known.

Current status: A win for the physician community and our patients! The Council passed the bill in December and the Mayor signed it into law on January 16, 2020.

Healthy Beverage Choices Amendment Act (B23-495)

What does it say? The bill would implement a 1.5 cent per ounce tax on the distribution of "sugary" beverages. The money collected from the tax would establish a Healthy People, Healthy Places Open Spaces Grant Program.

MSDC position: MSDC sent a letter to Council Chair Mendelson asking for a hearing to discuss all of the issues around a beverage tax.

Current status: The bill was introduced October 8, 2019 and referred to the Committee on Business and Economic Development and the Committee of the Whole.