Title: Understanding Implicit Bias and its Impact on Clinical Practice, Decision-Making and Achieving Optimal Health Outcomes The Institute of Medicine and The Joint Commission report that the role of implicit bias contributes to health disparities. Implicit biases are unconscious and unintentional assumptions that can be based on different factors, such as language, age, race, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, weight, economic status, etc. As we align with HSS’ Strategic Roadmap to 2020, and sustain our leadership in providing the finest musculoskeletal care for all patients, being aware and addressing these unintended factors is key.