Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Why Diversity Matters
Excellence in medical education, clinical care and research are attained through our diversity of students, residents, fellows, faculty and staff. At Drexel University College of Medicine, having a diverse, equitable, inclusive environment is core to who we are. We engage in diverse experiences which address health inequities in an inclusive environment. These experiences occur in an array of settings, from attending at a homeless clinic, to helping a woman and her children who are victims of domestic violence, to conducting clinical research to decode the ‘why’ of health equity in outcome. This work ultimately results in helping tomorrow’s Drexel doctors and researchers to be superb in health care delivery and to lead the charge of innovation in the science of medicine.
Download the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion info sheet [PDF]
YOUR VOICE MATTERS – GET INVOLVED
The nation and our Drexel University College of Medicine community are once again saddened and outraged that another Black man is the victim of excessive police violence. On August 23, 2020, Jacob Blake was shot multiple times in the back by police in Wisconsin, in front of his three sons as they sat in the back of his car.
The College of Medicine condemns violence against the Black community, finding this and recent events intolerable. We, at the College of Medicine, absolutely believe that Black lives matter and are steadfast in our commitment to anti-racism, diversity, equity and inclusion.
This propagation of a history of implicit and explicit bias and institutionalized racism, in which violence against the Black community, particularly Black men, is pervasive, and is a public health crisis that impacts every social determinate of health. It permeates all aspects of life, including the basic right to bodily autonomy and safety.
The medical community has specifically had a difficult history inextricably intertwined with racism; we have much to atone for. Thus, we have much work to do. It is imperative that we remain unwavering in our work toward anti-racism, and advocate for systemic, effective change within our organization and community. As a community of compassionate educators, physicians, researchers, professional staff and students, we must continue to find ways to improve racial and social equity.
We must work together to dismantle racism and eliminate all forms of bias.
It is imperative that physicians, biomedical scientists, health educators and future physicians be heard. We ask you to become involved with our Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in our mission to create opportunity for all, as we strive to truly attain an equitable, inclusive environment at the College of Medicine and in the communities that we serve.
Please feel free to email bc858@drexel.edu or call 215.991.8450, to learn more about our office and explore ways to get involved.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion News & Events
In the interview below, Dr. McCrea talks with Nathalie May, MD, an associate professor and sub-internship director in the Division of General Internal Medicine. Read on to get to know Dr. May and learn even more about her life and career in the latest episode of the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion's podcast "Conversations That Matter." Read more.
"I still remember the moment when I told my parents that I had been accepted into medical school, and the look on their faces when I donned my white coat for the first time (albeit over Zoom). They were, and still are, so proud of me and made sure to remind me every chance they got. I remember the feeling of them believing in me and their support before I even began this journey." Read more.
Recent Student Honors
Will Justice, MD program class of 2022, won the 2021 National Medical Fellowship National Alumni Scholarship Award. This scholarship helps address the severe national shortage of physician leaders who are committed to the health of underserved communities. Selected scholars have demonstrated evidence of community service and leadership potential at this phase in their career.
Aderinsola 'Sola' Aderonmu, MD program class of 2023, won the Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to a student for their community involvement and dedication to health disparities in medicine.
Peter Liu, MD program class of 2024, received a 2021 Medical Student Research Award from the American College of Gastroenterology. The $5,000 prize is given to fund a medical student's summer research. Peter was also an oral presenter at the 2021 Liver Meeting, held by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases. He presented "Outreach Pilot to Understand and Overcome Barriers to COVID-19 Vaccination in Liver Transplant Recipients."
Congratulations, Will, Sola and Peter!
On October 21, more than 270 students, residents, fellows and postdoctoral trainees presented their research at Discovery Day. Posters and platform presentations were judged for awards across several categories. View the winners.
Annette Gadegbeku, MD, is an associate professor in the Department of Family, Community & Preventive Medicine, and assistant dean of community health within the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Drexel University College of Medicine. Her academic interests include urban and underserved community medicine, adolescent medicine, women’s health and global health. Read more.
In recognition of Filipino American History Month, we focus on Honoria Acosta-Sison, a Filipina who studied to become a physician at one of Drexel’s predecessor schools, Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania, and then returned to the Philippines to practice. Her story speaks to the impact and effect of being born and living under colonial rule and how cultural assimilation can echo for decades. An avid researcher, teacher and physician, Honoria Acosta-Sison had a long and varied career caring for and advocating for Filipina women. Read more.
LGBTQ+ History Month provides ample opportunity to celebrate the many strides queer folks have made, and to continue honoring those triumphs. It wasn’t until 1982 that the City of Philadelphia amended the Fair Practices Act, the city’s anti-discrimination policy, to include LGBTQ+ folks. Although the queer community has made vast progress over the years, queer health disparities continue to persist. Health care professionals are given the privilege and responsibility of upholding equity in practice, and this includes advocating for the safety and inclusion of LGBTQ+ patients. Read more.
This year Drexel has its first club focused solely on promoting health literacy throughout the community. This club, Health Literacy & Community Partners, is founded on the idea of bridging the gaps in patient-doctor communication. Through studies and patient encounters it has been shown that health literacy is a social determinant of health and a major foundation in preventive health. Thus, at this year’s Community Health Fair we are launching our “Let’s Talk” campaign. We aim to spread knowledge through easy-to-navigate resources focused on preparing for doctor’s visits and “things to tell your doctor.” Read more.
Read more diversity, equity and inclusion news and events.
Diversity Statement
Drexel University College of Medicine, in the tradition of our predecessor schools, Woman's Medical College and Hahnemann Medical College, recruits and supports a diverse medical school faculty, professional staff and student body.
- It is only with a commitment to diversity that the mission and vision of the College can be realized.
- Each individual and her/his ideas have value and contribute positively to the mission and vision of the College.
- Learning with a diverse faculty and student body enhances critical thinking and the educational experience.
- Students who learn in a diverse environment are better prepared to provide the highest level of professionalism, innovation and creativity to all aspects of patient care, education and research.
- Our definition of diversity comprises characteristics that include but are not limited to race; color; religion; gender; sexual orientation, identity and expression; national origin; age; disability; veteran status; and education or economic disadvantage.
Drexel University College of Medicine is firmly committed to producing a diverse population of physicians and scientists. Supported by the Mission and Vision Statements of the College of Medicine, the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion provides support to all students and student groups regardless of:
- Race or national origin
- Color
- Religion
- Gender
- Sexual orientation, identity, and expression
- Age
- Disability
- Veteran status
- Education or economic disadvantage
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