We are about finding common ground

The OHSU School of Medicine is deeply committed to increasing and supporting diversity among our faculty, staff, and learners. We consider a wide range of life experiences as part of diversity, including rural heritage, economic background, sexual orientation, culture and belief systems, and hardships accessing educational opportunities.
The School of Medicine Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism Strategic Action Plan 2021 - 2025 charts our contributions to institutional goals in the areas that we can significantly impact, including retention and recruitment of individuals under-represented in medicine and biomedical science. The strategic action plan is the result of sustained urgency and focus by school leaders and the SoM Diversity Affairs Committee, which includes faculty, students and trainees.
The SOM is committed to diversity and our practices, programs and policies are in alignment with AAMC, LCME, ACGME and OHSU program accreditation standards.
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OHSU's School of Medicine is dedicated to fulfilling our commitment and responsibility to attracting and educating a diverse student body who conduct science, deliver health care services, reflect the racial and ethnic diversity of the communities we serve, and who are prepared to provide high-quality care with cultural humility.
The AAMC informed by decades of research, recognizes the undeniable benefits of diversity for improving the health of people everywhere and the projected physician workforce shortages.
2023 Research Internship Poster Symposium and Ceremony
On Friday, August 11, college and high school students presented their summer research projects to the OHSU community. Interns represented the following programs and departments: Equity Research Program, Ted R. Lilley CURE Program, Cell, Development and Cancer Biology Department, The Vollum/NGP Summer Undergraduate Program, Chemical Physiology and Biochemistry Summer Undergraduate Research Program and STEMPrep Internship Program.
The programs offer an opportunity for undergraduate college students to spend 8-10 weeks during the summer working with faculty and graduate students in a research setting where students learn new skills and gain hands-on experience.
The program opens pathways for learners in STEM at OHSU, including mentorship opportunities. Thank you to all faculty members, staff, and graduate students who inspired, challenged and mentored students this summer.

National dialogue on racial and ethnic health care inequities
Jennifer DeVoe, M.D., professor and chair of family medicine, OHSU School of Medicine, is co-chairing the Committee on Unequal Treatment Revisited at the National Academies. Join September's public workshop.

A roadmap to more equitable graduate school admissions
OHSU School of Medicine Neuroscience Graduate Program doctoral candidate Yessica Santana Agreda joined graduate students and post-docs nationally in launching a multi-faceted initiative to make graduate school admissions more equitable. The journal Cell published their strategies Aug. 17.

September Observances
- National Cholesterol Education Month
- Sepsis Awareness Month
- Blood Cancer Awareness Month
- Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
- Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month
- National Sickle Cell Awareness
- National Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 - Oct. 15)
Download our "Belong, Include, Empower" September newsletter.
Upcoming events & webinars
- Sept. 20 | Transgender Health Program Community Meeting
- Sept. 26 | NW Equity Summit
- Sept. 28 | The role of Medicaid policy in driving disparities in maternal health
- Sept. 30 | Oregon Medical Association Annual Conference
- Oct. 1 | Health Care Equity Fair
- Oct. 6 | Faculty Dev. Fridays: Celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month
- Oct. 26-28 | SACNAS National Diversity in STEM Conference
DEI News in the School of Medicine
- Mobile health care is a step in the right direction
- Viewpoint: Poor communication deepens health inequities, systemic racism
- OHSU-led study seeks to better support transgender patients before surgery
- One year since the overturn of Roe, OB/GYNs report devastating impacts from lack of abortion access
- OHSU organizes inaugural Latino Primary Care Summit
- Multidisciplinary conference seeks to advance women's health
- Continuing its support of reproductive rights, OHSU launches new Center for Reproductive Health Equity
- OHSU storytelling project sparks health care equity conversations
- More Native Americans going to medical school through OHSU Program
- More than 150 pre-med mentees are paired with mentors!
Respectful and identity-affirming language puts our humanity at the center
Inclusive language allows everyone to feel recognized valued, invited and motivated to contribute at their highest level. The OHSU Inclusive Language Guide provides guidance.
SoM Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism Plan 2021-2025
The School of Medicine plan includes three goals with overarching themes that capture the essence of the climate we want to create: Belong, Include, Empower. Read more.

School of Medicine M.D. Program: Outdated Medical Terminology Guide
A guide for medical students, educators and providers. Authored by Med24 students Rohi Gheewala, José Manuel Carrillo-Castro and Sean Bowden. Download it here.

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The School of Medicine's "Belong, Include, Empower” newsletter is sent monthly to members of the OHSU's School of Medicine. This space is dedicated to the valuable role of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Anti-racism practices in promoting trust, engagement and well-being. Are you looking to share an idea, resource, update or event? Submit your content ideas to somdiversity@ohsu.edu
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- Does it align with OHSU’s SoM values and aspirations around equity & inclusion?
- Does it support community building and knowledge exchange?
- Days of significance, observations, and building cultural enrichment.
- Health Equity and inclusion reports, funding opportunities and diversity best practices?
- Achievements aligned with the SoM DEI Plan
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