Lahia Yemane, MD, Named Inaugural Assistant Dean for Diversity in Graduate Medical Education

February 8, 2021

Lahia Yemane, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, has been appointed Stanford School of Medicine’s inaugural Assistant Dean for Diversity in Graduate Medical Education within the Office of Diversity in Medical Education.

Dr. Yemane’s innovative research and strategic leadership have furthered Stanford Medicine’s diversity efforts while establishing best practices for creating more inclusive environments at academic medical centers nationwide.

Since joining Stanford Medicine as a resident in 2010, Dr. Yemane has held numerous leadership roles, including director of the Pediatric Stanford Clinical Opportunity for Residency Experience (SCORE) program, co-chair of Stanford Department of Pediatrics Advancing Anti-Racism Coalition (SPAARC), co-chair for the MD/GME Diversity Recruitment Committee, and founding co-director of Stanford Medicine’s Leadership Education in Advancing Diversity (LEAD) program. Her extraordinary vision has been critical to strengthening the efficacy and reach of these programs.

As a researcher, Dr. Yemane focuses on building and evaluating innovative diversity programs and studying barriers and facilitators for inclusion and retention of trainees from underrepresented in medicine (URM) communities. For example, LEAD, a 10-month longitudinal leadership program shaped by Dr. Yemane’s research, has been widely recognized for its inclusive approach and received the Stanford University President’s Award for Excellence Through Diversity in 2020.

Dr. Yemane also serves as a trusted advisor to Stanford medical students and residency trainees, especially those from URM backgrounds, most notably through her role as an Associate Program Program Director for the Pediatrics Residency Program. In addition to her role as an on-campus mentor, Dr. Yemane is the founding director of the Association of Pediatric Program Directors’ Advancing Inclusiveness in Medical Education Scholars. This national mentorship and career development program engenders interest in medical education leadership for high-potential pediatric residents from URM communities.

As Assistant Dean for Diversity in Graduate Medical Education, Dr. Yemane will report to Associate Dean for Diversity in Medical Education Reena Thomas, MD, PhD. Dr. Yemane also will have a dotted line reporting structure to Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education Larry Katznelson, MD.