Monica E. Peek
Ellen H. Block Professor of Health Justice, Biological Sciences Division"She is a passionate clinician and prized educator who serves as a role model and leaves a lasting mark on all those who she interacts with...”
The faculty recipient for the 2023 Diversity Leadership Awards, Monica E. Peek is the Ellen H. Block Professor of Health Justice, associate vice-chair for research faculty development in the Department of Medicine, executive medical director of community health innovations, associate director of the Chicago Center for Diabetes Translation Research, and director of research/associate director of the MacLean Center for Clinical Medical Ethics. She is a renowned health services researcher, bioethicist and internist focused on health equity.
The Diversity Leadership Awards recognize University faculty, students, staff, and alumni who have shown a commitment to fostering justice and equality. You can learn more about the awards and view past winners on the University’s Diversity & Inclusion website.
Excerpts from Peek’s nominating materials:
“She is a passionate clinician and prized educator who serves as a role model and leaves a lasting mark on all those who she interacts with at the University of Chicago and beyond.”
“Dr. Peek is a consummate mentor. … As a leader in advancing diversity, she has imparted a deep understanding of health inequity to countless trainees and faculty at the University of Chicago and has had a huge impact on advancing racial equity and understanding amongst the University’s community.”
“The impact of Dr. Peek’s health disparities research has been felt in community settings, through traditional media, social media, in academic and governmental settings and a host of scientific conferences and peer-reviewed scientific journals.”
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Peek’s research concentrates on promoting equitable doctor-patient relationships among racial minorities, integrating medical and social needs and of patients, and addressing the impact of structural racism on health outcomes. She has published extensively on social determinants of health, health disparities and health care education.
Peek has served on the National Advisory Council of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, National Executive Council of the American Diabetes Association, National Council of the Society of General Internal Medicine, and International Board of Directors for Physicians for Human Rights. She was a planning committee member of the National Academies’ workshop series on Evolving Crisis Standards of Care and Lessons from COVID-19. Additionally, she helped develop COVID-19 Crisis Standards of Care for the state of Illinois and was a member of Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s Racial Equity Rapid Response team. She is a consultant to CME Outfitters, where she leads a nationwide initiative designed to provide health equity education to clinicians.
Peek received her MD from Johns Hopkins University, received her MPH from Johns Hopkins University and earned her MSc from the University of Chicago. In 2022, Peek was elected to National Academy of Medicine, which is considered one of the highest honors in the fields of health and medicine.
Read about all the 2023 Diversity Leadership Award winners in this story from UChicago News.