To the GCMAS Community –

The Gait and Clinical Movement Analysis Society is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. As a society, we condemn and denounce the acts of racism, violence, misinformation, and intolerance that continue to devastate our country.

GCMAS is a collaborative society centered in the belief that individuals with different professional backgrounds, interests and knowledge can work together “to improve outcomes and quality of life for individuals with any movement disorder, at any age.” The diversity of our membership, however, is not only related to our educational training. Each member’s ideals, values, goals and perspectives are deeply rooted in their personal, social, ethnic, cultural, and life experiences. It is our diversity that gives us strength - it strengthens GCMAS as a society, it strengthens the work that we do to advance our field, it deepens our understanding, and it enhances our ability to make a difference in this world.

As America and the world continue to mourn the death of George Floyd and reflect on other incidents across our nation, we must work together to overcome the social injustice that so many of our friends, colleagues and neighbors experience daily.

As an organization, GCMAS is dedicated to promoting inclusivity and equal rights for all people, regardless of race, religion, gender, orientation or age. We will continue to preserve and improve the health and lives of our patients, treat all individuals with respect, and be vigilant in aiding the welfare of our communities.

Over the last few years, GCMAS has led STEM programs for underrepresented minority high school students at our annual conference with the financial support of the NIH. In addition, we have supported National Biomechanics Day which aims to introduce our field to younger generations. But we can do better. The Board of Directors will be creating a new Diversity Task Force who will work with our Membership Council chair to strategize and implement new programming, events and initiatives to increase the diversity of our membership. In the coming weeks we will invite all members to share their thoughts, ideas and suggestions and express their interest in participating in task force.

We must stand together with all people of color, not only today, but always. We must stand together to improve our society, our country, and the world. We look forward to working together with everyone in our GCMAS community.

Jason T. Rhodes, MD

President, GCMAS