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 News & Events
Diversity Week at DUCOM 4/29 - 5/3
- Monday, April 29: Paint Your Flag (12 – 2 p.m. HSB 2E02); Dabke Night w/ MENA (5:30 p.m. HSB & Zoom); Trivia/Board Game Night (6:30 p.m. West Reading 150)
- Tuesday, April 30: Health Literacy Talk w/ LMSA and WR Public Health (4 – 5 p.m., HSB & Zoom)
- Wednesday, May 1: Caring for the Muslim Patient w/ MSA (3 - 5 p.m. HSB 4E05 & Zoom); VSIG Hosts a talk on vascular disease (7 p.m. Zoom)
- Thursday, May 2: Diversity Symposium w/ Aspiring Physician Executives and Black Doctors Network, see below (8 a.m. – 3 p.m. HSB); Around the World event (7 – 8:30 p.m. HSB 4E05)
- Friday, May 3: Infant Care Package Service (2:30 - 4:30 p.m. HSB R304); Navigating Equity in Professional Spaces w/ LMSA and SNMA (4:30 – 5:30 p.m. HSB 4E05 & Zoom); Double Dutch (5:30 - 6:30 p.m. HSB Lawn)
Batts Health Equity & Inclusive Excellence Dinner - May 7, 2024
The 2024 Batts Health Equity & Inclusive Excellence Dinner is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the graduating students who have been personally impacted by health care disparities, socioeconomic or educational barriers. Learn more.
Diversity in Medicine Symposium
Aspiring Physician Executives (APEX) and Drexel Black Doctors Network (DBDN) will be hosting a Diversity in Medicine Symposium during Diversity week on May 2, 2024. The symposium will be focused on poster presentations related to diverse populations and supporting minority students in research. There will be prizes for poster presentation. The first-place reward will be an Apple Watch while second and third place both will receive Pathoma books along with certificates.
Abstract Submission Deadline: Friday, April 19, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. - Submit Abstract
Abstract Acceptance Notification: Monday, April 22, 2024
Online Poster Submission Deadline: Tuesday, April 30, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. - Submit Poster
“I am a clinician at Drexel’s Partnership Comprehensive Care Practice. Our patient population is primarily people living with HIV, although the bulk of what I do for them is management of other conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure, since most of our patients’ HIV is well-managed and their viral load is undetectable. We also see people who are on PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis to prevent HIV) and people undergoing curative treatment for hepatitis C monoinfection (i.e., not co-infected with HIV).” Read more.
As student doctors, we have an innate desire to create impactful change for our patients and the larger community, but it may be difficult to pursue a larger change in the community due to a variety of factors, including time, one's personal background or ethnicity. Drexel’s Aspiring Physician Executives (APEx) chapter is an organization that is in its second year at the university and has a mission to increase the number of diverse individuals in leadership within medically related spaces. Read more.
On Sunday, January 14, 2024, Drexel University College of Medicine’s Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association (APAMSA) chapter hosted its inaugural health fair at Phat Bao Temple in North Philadelphia. It was a dedicated effort to organize vital health screenings and health education for the underrepresented and marginalized Vietnamese community in the area. Read more.
Read more diversity 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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