The American College of Cardiology has named a graduate of the Wayne State University School of Medicine its first director of Diversity and Inclusion.

In working with the ACC’s Task Force on Diversity and Inclusion and other societies and organizations, Ranna Parekh, M.D., M.P.H., of the Class of 1992, will lead and expand the college’s diversity and inclusion initiatives to create a more diverse and inclusive environment within the field of cardiovascular disease and strive for a fully inclusive organization and profession.

“Given the rapidly changing demographics in the United States, ensuring health equity will be even more critical in the upcoming years,” Dr. Parekh said in an ACC news release. “I am deeply committed to principles of inclusion, cross-cultural understanding and community involvement, and am honored to be able to work with the ACC’s members in using the college’s diversity and inclusion principles to realize ACC’s vision of ‘a world where innovation and knowledge optimize cardiovascular care and outcomes’ for all.”

The ACC in 2016 established a Task Force on Diversity and Inclusion to address the low percentages of women entering the cardiovascular workforce, recognizing that diversity is an issue for cardiologists and in quality patient care. The initiative expanded to harness the power of the diversity of ACC’s members to advance patient care, spur innovation and improve health equity among individual patients and populations through a five-year diversity and inclusion strategic plan.

Dr. Parekh will identify and explore barriers to entry into the field of cardiology, develop educational services and projects, and lead and coordinate the efforts of staff and members. The ACC has committed to work with other societies and organizations that share the same goals in cardiovascular health care. Dr. Parekh will coordinate with groups to build awareness in the field by continuously highlighting the rationale, opportunities and the importance of acknowledging and actively addressing diversity and inclusion issues in the field of cardiovascular disease.

“ACC’s success in transforming cardiovascular care and improving heart health is dependent on a diversity of background, experience, ideas and perspectives throughout our membership, our staff and the cardiovascular profession,” said ACC Chief Executive Officer Timothy Attebery, DSc, M.B.A. “As diversity and inclusion director, Ranna will undoubtedly help us make real and lasting change on the field of cardiology through her vast experience in inspiring awareness and action.”

Dr. Parekh has more than 10 years of experience leading diversity initiatives and almost 20 years of experience practicing child, adolescent and adult psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital and McLean Hospital. She was deputy medical director, director of Diversity and Health Equity, and director of Minority Fellowship Programs at the American Psychiatric Association since January 2015. She has also held the position of assistant professor of psychiatry and director of the Center for Diversity at Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School. She is the co-author of “Overcoming Prejudice in the Workplace,” an e-book that provides tips to help readers understand and respond to insults at work and in their private lives, and editor of several textbooks on diversity in medicine and health.

She received her medical degree from Wayne State University and a master’s of Public Health degree from the Harvard School of Public Health. She completed her adult psychiatry training and fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital/McLean Hospital at Harvard Medical School. She also holds bachelor’s degrees in biology, chemistry and black studies from Wayne State University.