Dr. Benfield Named First Diversity and Inclusion Chief
Dr. Benfield Named First Diversity and Inclusion Chief
Nerys Benfield, M.D., M.P.H., has been named Einstein’s first senior associate dean for diversity and inclusion. Currently an associate professor of obstetrics & gynecology and women’s health at Einstein and director of family planning and the fellowship in family planning at Montefiore, Dr. Benfield will report directly to Gordon Tomaselli, M.D., the Stanley and Marilyn Katz Dean at Einstein, in her new role.
The creation of this position was the top recommendation of Einstein’s Strategic Plan for Diversity and Inclusion, which reflected the input of more than 90 participants. The plan was launched in 2017 under the deanship of Allen Spiegel, M.D., with leadership from Edward Burns, M.D., executive dean, Irene Blanco, M.D., associate dean for the office of diversity enhancement, and Yvonne Ramirez, vice president of human resources and diversity. Dr. Benfield will work closely with them, as well as with Dorcas Lind, assistant vice president of diversity and inclusion at Montefiore.
She received a bachelor’s degree from Harvard College, an M.D. from the University of California, San Francisco, and a master’s degree in public health from the University of California, Berkeley.
Dr. Benfield arrived at Einstein and Montefiore in 2011 following her fellowship. “I was drawn to the diversity of the staff, faculty, and patients,” she says. She started a diversity and inclusion group in her department and has focused on recruiting at the resident, fellow, and faculty level. Nationally, she co-chairs the diversity, equity, and inclusion group for the Society of Family Planning.
Dr. Nerys Benfield 
