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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SOM Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism Strategic Action Plan 2021-2025

Respectful & 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.

M.D. students celebrate the next stage of their careers
100% match for OHSU School of Medicine M.D. residency programs. The dual 100% match rates are indicators of the OHSU School of Medicine’s strong reputation nationally.

More than 150 pre-med mentees are now paired with mentors
Pay It Forward, a medical student-run mentorship program in the School of Medicine, was founded by Med22 Dr. Cassandra Kasten-Arias as part of a comprehensive system of support throughout medical school.

OHSU storytelling project sparks health care equity conversations
The POWER WITH Anthology uplifts the lived experiences and perspectives of community members, patients, and health care workers and trainees. It inspires us to imagine what a system that embraces relationships and collective change could look like.

Why aren't there more Black people in Oregon?
Antwon Chavis, M.D., assistant professor of pediatrics, presented "Why aren't there more Black people in Oregon?" The session was sponsored by the School of Medicine Office of Faculty Development and the Provost's Office of Educational Innovation and Improvement.

New Center for Reproductive Health Equity led by Dr. Rodriguez
Maria Rodriguez, M.D., M.P.H., professor of obstetrics and gynecology in the School of Medicine is the director of the new center housed within OHSU's Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in the School of Medicine. The center will focus on three key areas: research, education and clinical care.

New tool! Outdated Medical Terminology Guide
A guide for medical students, educators and providers.
By Rohi Gheewala, Med24; José Manuel Carrillo-Castro, Med24 and Sean Bowden, Med24

April Observances
- National Minority Health Month
- National Autism Acceptance Month
- Parkinson's Awareness Month
- World Health Day | Apr. 7
- Arab American Heritage Month
- Scottish American Heritage Month
Download the School of Medicine's April 2023 "Belong, Include, Empower" newsletter. We hope to enrich our knowledge and advance our understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion and anti-racism. Missed a previous issue? Download previous issues for 2022: Feb., Mar., Apr., May, June , July, Aug., Sep., Oct., Nov., Dec and 2023: Jan, Feb, Mar
Upcoming events & webinars
- April 3 | Exploring the Consequences of an Adverse Supreme Court Decision
- April 4 | Integrating Addiction Care Across U.S. Hospitals
- April 4 | Prostate Cancer and Black Men
- April 4 | OHSU-PSU Schoolf of Public Health 2023 Annual Conference
- April 5 | The Importance of Diverse Biospecimens - Who is Collectig and How Can Latinos Donate?
- April 6 | Effects of Comprehensive Care in a Socioeconomically Diverse Minority Population
- April 13 | Neurodiversity and Health Inequities
- April 18 | Demystifying Medicine - Fat: Biology and Staying Thin
- April 21 | Teaching with Empathy and for Equity at the Graduate Level
- April 26 | Beyond DE-Transition: Community Perspectives on Gender Fluidity and Expansiveness
DEI News in the School of Medicine
- OHSU physician-scientist elected to National Academy of Engineering
- Lisa Marriott, Ph.D. receives NIH award for excellence in diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility mentorship
- OHSU's Casey Eye Institute: Community Outreach Program 2022 Annual Impact Report
- Health Equity: Weaving intentionality into health system operations
- Knight Cancer Institute funds community projects to provide culturally relevant resources, education, workshops with Spanish-speaking and African immigrant/refugee populations
- Watch: Northwest Native American Center of Excellence's video "The Path"
- OHSU makes strides increasing diversity in clinical studies
- COMPADRE program is an example of a cross-state effort
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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 we will consider including them in our newsletter.
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- Is this content related to equity, diversity, inclusion and anti-racism?
- Is this content directly applicable to School of Medicine students, staff, and faculty at OHSU?
- Is it timely enough to have an impact on learners, staff, faculty and volunteers?
- 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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