The Department of Psychiatry’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee is a dynamic group that is dedicated to support the needs of faculty, staff, and students in order to achieve academic, professional, and personal success while strengthening the overall environment to value and foster diversity and inclusion.

We are committed to fostering and supporting a climate of inclusion and diversity and look forward to being a diverse department where faculty, residents, fellows, staff, and students represent differing cultural, ethnic, gender, gender identity, political, socio-economic, and sexual orientation backgrounds.

Our work is geared toward building a diverse department that offers a rich environment that leads to greater knowledge, understanding, acceptance, and mutual respect. We celebrate diversity and value everyone’s contribution.

Through our efforts of inclusion, we hope to ensure that everyone at the department understands that intolerance is unacceptable, and that all members of the community should be openly included in conversations, programs, and initiatives. We look forward to developing initiatives that foster a diverse and inclusive campus environment, and to assist in developing productive solutions for obstacles faced by faculty, staff, and students in our department.

We hope to continue promoting awareness of the diverse cultures within the department by fostering activities that highlight individuals cultural, ethnic, and affinity backgrounds while acting as an advocate for interests and concerns of members within the department.

Cultural Highlight Events

The Diversity and Inclusion committee hosts a quarterly Cultural Highlight Event in which anyone in the Department of Psychiatry can volunteer to share their own life experiences and cultural backgrounds with other Department members. These presentations have allowed all members to contribute to a more diverse and inclusive work environment. Some cultural backgrounds covered thus far include Yoruba, Costa Rican, Chinese/Taiwanese, and rural American!

Diversity and Inclusion Grand Rounds

History

The Department’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee was established in 2019, shortly after Laine Young-Walker, MD, became chair of the department. In her first faculty meeting as chair, she expressed a goal of creating a group to champion diversity and inclusion, which she saw as her No. 1 priority. Rasha ElKady, MD, is the committee’s first chair. The first committee meeting was in December 2019, and the committee has been working on fulfilling its goals and objectives ever since.

Committee Board Officers

See our list of board officers below, and click the bio button on each profile to learn more about each person and to learn why he or she joined the committee.

Sultana Jahan, MD

Sultana Jahan, MD

Committee Chair

Bio

Bio: I completed my residency training in general psychiatry and fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry at the University of Missouri in 2006. Right after my training, I was offered a position in the department as an assistant professor. In 2014, I was promoted to associate professor. I am involved in patient care as well as teaching medical students, residents and fellows. I am also involved in different research projects. I am a diplomat of American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) and an active member of American Psychiatric Association (APA), American Association of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), Missouri Chapter, American Association of Pediatrics (MOAAP), World Federation of ADHD, Neuroscience Education Institute.

Why did I join the committee? I joined the Diversity and Inclusion Committee to help make and be a part of an environment where everyone feels included and respected regardless of their differences.

Hannia L. Burke-Agüero, LPC, RDT

Hannia L. Burke-Agüero, LPC, RDT

Vice-Chair and Therapist Representative

Bio

Bio: I was born in San José, Costa Rica, to a family with a long tradition of coffee farming. I earned a bachelor’s in psychology from the University of Costa Rica, then earned a master’s in counseling psychology with a specialization in drama therapy from the California Institute of Integral Studies. My 20-plus-year career in mental health has always focused on advocating for those in need. In Bloomington, Indiana, I founded Mujeres en Conexión, an organization focused on helping local Hispanic/Latino families meet their basic and emotional needs. I have served on several mayor-appointed committees on multicultural issues and have been the recipient of numerous city and statewide awards, including Citizen of the Year for the State of Indiana. I joined the Adult Psychiatry Clinic in 2015, and I’m currently the clinic’s only bilingual/bicultural Spanish-speaking mental health provider. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family (especially my 2-year-old grandson), gardening, cooking, and practicing photography.

Why did I join the committee? I co-founded the Diversity and Inclusion Committee because I believe that the department can be a welcoming place where professionals from all walks of life can thrive under equal access to opportunities.

Catherine Miller, MEd, LPC

Catherine Miller, MEd, LPC

Secretary

Bio

Bio: I am part of the grants team, and I coordinate the Positive Parenting program. I am a licensed practicing counselor (LPC) from Columbia. You can catch me supporting my children in their sports and looking forward to cheering courtside or sitting under the Friday night lights. In my spare time, (wait, people with children have that?) I enjoy playing in my flower garden, fishing and being a part of our family farm.

Why did I join the committee? I joined the Diversity and Inclusion Committee as I feel it is important to make sure all people have a seat at the table. I hope to positively impact those I work with and continue to help make safe spaces for everyone. I want to help guide and implement change that brings about inclusiveness for all.

Irina Rodriguez Arango

Irina Rodriguez Arango

Treasurer

Bio

Bio: I am originally from Bogota, Colombia, and have lived in the United States for 15 years. I work as a medical education coordinator for the department. My educational background is in the field of physical culture, sports, and recreation. I was a camp director for several years before joining the department. I also worked in the field of migrant education when I lived in Kansas, which has a large migrant community. In my free time, I enjoy running races with my husband, Bob, riding bikes, reading, watching anime and putting together art-themed jigsaw puzzles. I have two beautiful dogs, Max and Jaadoo, that are my co-workers and best pals.

Why did I join the committee? I joined the committee because it is a space where one can spread positivism and cultural awareness. I felt I would have the opportunity to make a difference while creating a more inclusive, just and welcoming workplace. Being a part of this committee has provided me with chances to spark my creativity and practice a deeper level of empathy toward my co-workers.

Meelie Bordoloi, MD

Meelie Bordoloi, MD

Faculty Representative & Diversity and Inclusion Ambassador

Bio

Bio: I am a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist and currently work in the inpatient child unit. I worked as a Resident Physician and then as a Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellow in the same unit which adds history, familiarity, and experience. Currently in my role as an Associate Training Director of the Child and Adolescent Fellowship, I can train the next generation of Psychiatrists which is something I have always been passionate about. I also believe mentoring faculty is important and I have been actively involved in the role of a Mentorship Coordinator of the Department trying to engage senior and junior faculty to bring on a healthy and better workforce. I hope to continue to contribute to the betterment of the Department and community at large. I have two children, a German Shepherd and a 2 year old son who keep us very busy and entertained.

Why did I join the committee? I am an International Medical Graduate, a minority, woman of color and have gone through a myriad of experiences which have propelled me to become a strong advocate for diversity, equity, culture, and inclusion in the workplace. I am the Diversity and Inclusion Ambassador of the Department and regularly communicate with the Dean's office to coordinate and implement strategies for the betterment of the work environment. When I do get some time, I like to teach Indian dance classes as I am a professional dancer. My other interests include watching movies and traveling.

Muna Telsem, MD

Muna Telsem, MD

Resident Representative

Bio

Bio: I am a first-year Psychiatry resident. I hold an undergraduate degree in Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies from Virginia Commonwealth University. I received my MBA from Davenport University and attended Avalon University for medical school. I was born and raised in Northern Virginia to Eritrean parents. As a first-generation American, I grew up in a very diverse community. But, growing up I noticed the lack of minorities practicing in the field of Psychiatry. This disparity often leads to minorities not seeking the help that they need. I wanted to bridge that gap, which can promote acceptance, inclusion, and destigmatize mental health.

Why did I join the committee? I joined this committee because I would like to continue learning and sharing information relating to diverse backgrounds. I believe this will help staff members have the tools to build great relationships with their colleagues and, more importantly, their patients.

Katelyn Price, MBA

Katelyn Price, MBA

Support Staff Representative

Bio

Bio: I am the Business Manager for the Department of Psychiatry. I help with setting up the annual department budget and oversee operations such as recruitment and hiring, clinical scheduling, and project management.

Why did I join the committee? I want to continue to grow with the Department, so this committee gave me an opportunity to get to know more people on the team and learn more about different cultures and backgrounds within the Department!