Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Biomedical Engineering Program at OHSU
BME Diversity Mission Statement
Our goal is to create a supportive environment in BME for historically underrepresented groups not limited to but including: ethnic and racial minorities, women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, veterans, and people from diverse geographic and socio-economic backgrounds. We also value differences in knowledge and backgrounds including skill-set, education, age, experience, and perspectives. We are committed to encouraging and fostering a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion through continuously improving our recruitment, retention, climate, and community partnerships.
BME Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee
The BME DEI Committee is a faculty-led group, including students, postdocs, and staff department members, committed to upholding the values of the BME Diversity Mission Statement. For questions and information about this committee, please contact Dr. Kimberly Beatty , Dr. Karina Nakayama, Dr. Lina Reiss or Dr. Carolyn Schutt Ibsen.
Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CDI)
CDI leads and supports the university-wide initiatives to create an environment of respect and inclusion for all people. The Center is dedicated to fostering partnerships to enhance OHSU's mission of healing, teaching, research and community services. With a range of resources and services, the Center for Diversity and Inclusion supports and empowers students, faculty and staff from all walks of life, including historically underrepresented populations. Learn more about CDI.
AVDS is committed to increasing racial and ethnic equity within the research programs at OHSU.
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Programs and Initiatives
On Track OHSU! partners with middle and high schools across Oregon with aim of increasing the number of students from underrepresented minority backgrounds in the health sciences and in Oregon's biomedical workforce. OHSU students, faculty and staff volunteer, including BME members, to provide an authentic look into the health science degrees and careers while serving as role models and increasing student engagement in the sciences and biomedical engineering. Find out more about On Track OHSU!
The Second Look Diversity Revisit takes place directly after the main graduate program recruitment events. The purpose of the Second Look Diversity Revisit is to invite candidates from historically marginalized communities back to campus and give them the opportunity to meet future peers from multiple graduate programs, connect with the Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CDI), the Alliance for Visible Diversity in Science (AVDS), as well as with a few more potential mentors. The goal of this event is to increase the recruitment of underrepresented minorities and socio-economically disadvantaged individuals in the graduate programs at OHSU.
To ensure that OHSU recruits and retains diverse students, faculty and staff, efforts must be intentional and focused. The Center for Diversity and Inclusion works with OHSU schools, academic programs and units to provide support for all students. OHSU is home to local chapters of distinguished national student organizations and other diverse student interest groups. Find a student interest group that is right for you.
The Unconscious Bias Campus-wide Initiative is part of many ongoing efforts led by the Center for Diversity and Inclusion to remove barriers to individual and group success. Phase one of the initiative comprises a two-hour training for employees and the identification of ambassadors. Departments and workgroups are encouraged to take the training together to strengthen diversity and inclusion within their respective units. The learning sessions emphasize ways to enhance individual knowledge, as well as team functionality.
The Department of Biomedical Engineering and the Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program organize a yearly Unconscious Bias training for its members.
Find out more about the Unconscious Bias Campus-wide Initiative.
Outreach at OHSU
OHSU offers a number of outreach programs, from our youngest learners in elementary school to college bound young adults and beyond. Find out more about the the outreach programs at OHSU.