PRICE COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY

The mission of the UF Pain Research & Intervention Center of Excellence (PRICE) is to reduce pain-related suffering throughout Florida and the nation through excellence in pain research, treatment, and education. Several weeks ago, the way we pursue this mission was drastically altered by the global COVID-19 pandemic, but we adapted and continued our important work. We were horrified and deeply saddened by the senseless deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Javier Ambler, and Manuel Ellis, along with so many other victims of color whose lives have been cut tragically short by excessive police brutality. These heartbreaking events signal the pernicious and unacceptable effects of structural and systemic racism and discrimination that continue to pervade the lives of people from racial and ethnic minority groups in this country. PRICE condemns the police actions that have tragically ended so many Black lives, and we condemn the structural racism that continues to affect the freedom, health, and happiness of our communities.

One persistent strength that has fueled PRICE’s success has been the diversity of our faculty, staff, and trainees. PRICE pledges to strengthen our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We strive to create a culture in which all individuals feel valued and supported, and we embrace the diversity of thought, perspective, and experience that emerges when people from different backgrounds are brought together. We encourage open and honest communication and personal and professional development as the most effective antidotes to bias and discrimination, and we endeavor to celebrate our differences as a force that brings us together. We commit to providing resources and support to ensure that our faculty, staff, and trainees from all backgrounds have every opportunity to thrive.

PRICE also aims to reduce suffering and improve quality of life for all, particularly those from underserved and vulnerable communities. In our research, we will continue to seek knowledge that will ultimately eradicate racial, ethnic, and gender disparities in pain, and we will always respect and value our research participants. We recognize the profound influence of social determinants on health and we are committed to understanding and mitigating the influence of adverse social factors, including racism and discrimination, on pain and its sequelae.

Like many around the country, we feel demoralized and infuriated at the continued expression and tragic consequences of structural racism and discrimination. Yet, we are encouraged at the national and global response demanding change, and we remain hopeful that we as a society can and will do better. PRICE is honored to join individuals and organizations throughout the world who are committed to achieving and sustaining this change.

Sincerely,

The Pain Research & Intervention Center of Excellence