ABSTRACT: PLAN TO ENHANCE DIVERSITY The Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center is a re-envisioned consortium located in the heart of Center City Philadelphia and is comprised of multidisciplinary investigators from Jefferson (Thomas Jefferson University (TJU) and Drexel University (DU) dedicated to understanding and meeting the cancer needs of the residents within our catchment area. These premiere institutions have the opportunity to work alongside one of the most diverse cities in America and are dedicated to building a more equitable metropolis, where determinants of success are not defined by race, ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, income, or neighborhood. When diversity, equity, and inclusion practices are woven into the framework of government agencies and academic institutions, a strong model of fairness is created, allowing these groups to work together to develop career opportunities for diverse groups that make up the neighborhoods of Philadelphia. As these groups cohesively work in partnership, institutional and structural barriers can be dismantled as we strive to create an equitable workforce in Philadelphia, together, where everyone thrives. The SKCC’s Plan to Enhance Diversity (PED) reflects our long-standing commitment to ensure that SKCC members and leaders reflect the diversity of the nation. Strong roots were laid back in 2012, by Dr. Edith Mitchell (EVP Cancer Disparities) through the creation of the Center to Eliminate Cancer Disparities. Mitchell’s vision early on was forward thinking and multi-dimensional, with one area concentrating on the development of comprehensive programs focused on training and teaching a diverse workforce that is culturally appropriate. Dr. Mitchell’s training and education through a diverse lens have been recognized over the last decade and were highlighted by her appointment in 2019 as the President of the National Medical Association. These early efforts laid the groundwork for the SKCC to appoint Ana María Lopez, MD, MPH, MACP, FRCP (London), Professor of Medical Oncology, as the inaugural Associate Director for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (AD DEI) for the SKCC on July 1, 2022. Dr. Lopez is a health services researcher and implementation scientist, whose expertise in health equity, cultural humility, and digital health is internationally recognized. Upon her appointment, the SKCC Office of DEI (ODEI) was established and their first priority was to assemble a team of SKCC faculty and staff to define strategic DEI priorities and paths to inclusion. The now formalized SKCC DEI Committee, B-JEDI (Belonging - Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion), guides the work of SKCC’s ODEI and serves as an advisory board reporting to the Cancer Center Director. The B-JEDI Committee developed the first SKCC DEI Strategic Plan in 2022 and in February 2023 issued a draft SKCC DEI Mission Statement which has been approved by SKCC leadership and the Center Director.