About Us
The Purpose of Closing the Divide
Closing the Divide: Building Trust by Addressing Bias in Medicine expands the depth and scope of content that addresses encounters marked by biased behaviors in the clinical environment.
This initiative provides a framework for how to respond during these types of experiences and conveys how responses may vary across encounter types, when power differentials are present or patients are involved. The content provided through this initiative can be used as preparatory as well as just in time educational resources.
The tools provided will assist with creating a platform for honest, open discussions about the presence and impact of biased behaviors in both clinical and nonclinical settings in medicine.
Developing ‘Clear the AIRR’
This “Clear the AIRR” framework was initially developed as a training tool for GME housestaff and faculty physicians to address micro- and macroaggressive behaviors in the healthcare setting. We conducted an intense literature review to evaluate other novel frameworks of communication, particularly addressing micro- and macroaggressive behaviors. Our team utilized techniques from the Kalamazoo Consensus Statement and the Macy Initiative in Health Communications frameworks to incorporate accepted practices in communication and rapport building in medical encounter.
This tool teaches participants to (1) assess the encounter and environment, (2) identify the patient’s intent and the source of the behavior; (3) form an appropriate response and set boundaries, (4) and review and report such encounters.
Meet Our Team
Karla Williams, MD
Assistant Professor | Department of Medicine
University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine
Karla Williams is an Assistant Professor in the Division of General Internal Medicine and Hospital Medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). A native of South Carolina, she received her medical degree from the Medical University of South Carolina. She completed internal medicine residency and served as a chief resident at UAB. She now serves as an Associate Program Director and the Director of Diversity and Inclusion for the Tinsley Harrison Internal Medicine Residency Program at the UAB Heersink School of Medicine. For her commitment to DEI, she was recognized as a recipient of 2020 Dean’s Excellence Award in Diversity. Advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in graduate medical education and care delivery is her passion. Her mission is to foster initiatives that bring awareness and address the presence and impact of bias in the medical environment.
KeAndrea Titer, MD
Assistant Professor | Department of Medicine
University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine
KeAndrea Titer, MD is an Assistant Professor in the Division of General Internal Medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She was born and raised in Tampa, Florida. She received her Bachelors of Science in Biology from Oakwood University in Huntsville, Alabama. She went on to earn her medical degree from Loma Linda University School of Medicine in Loma Linda, California. She completed her residency and chief residency at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Tinsley Harrison Internal Medicine Residency Program. Her academic interests include physical exam-focused medical education where she serves as Investigator for the AMA Reimagining Residency Grant awarded to John Hopkins, Stanford, and UAB focused on studying clinical skills as it relates to resident wellness. She is also passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion and serves as the Assistant Director of Diversity and Inclusion for the Tinsley Harrison Internal Medicine Residency Program where she works to design initiatives and curriculum focused on recruitment, education, and building community. For her commitment to DEI, she was recognized as a recipient of 2022 Dean’s Excellence Award in Diversity.
Lisa L. Willett, MD, MACM
Professor of Medicine | Department of Medicine
University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine
Lisa L. Willett, MD, MACM, is Professor of Medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, past Program Director for the Internal Medicine Residency Program and Vice Chair for Education in the Department of Medicine. As a full time clinician educator, her areas of interest include curriculum development, evaluation, and faculty development. She has received numerous teaching awards, including the ACGME Parker J. Palmer Courage to Teach Award, the Department of Medicine Top Ten Teacher, the Southern Region Society of General Internal Medicine (SGIM) Clinician-Educator of the Year Award & the UAB President Award for Excellence in Teaching. She has presented numerous abstracts and workshops at national educational meetings and published widely on areas related to medical education. She is a past president of APDIM & past chair of the APDIM survey committee.
Michael D. Barnett, MD, MS, FACP, FAAP, FAAHPM
Associate Professor of Medicine & Pediatrics
University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine
Dr. Michael Barnett is a Hospice & Palliative Care physician at Four Seasons in Western North Carolina and adjunct associate professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). He completed medical school at the University of Kentucky, residency in combined Internal Medicine-Pediatrics at UAB, and fellowship in Hospice & Palliative Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh. He served as the Program Director of the UAB Hospice & Palliative Medicine Fellowship for nearly a decade before entering the world of rural, not-for-profit hospice. He has been a faculty consultant in communication skills for the US Medical Licensing Exam and is distinguished faculty for the national VITALtalk communication skills training program. Dr. Barnett’s interests are in interprofessional education in palliative care and in communication around spirituality and culture in serious illness.
View Our Modules
Explore our interactive curriculum to address bias in medicine.
