“…For example, a series of laws classified as affirmative action has been implemented to improve diversity in higher education (i.e., the key requirement for high-status healthcare occupations) and to ensure that racial distribution of workers employed by government contractors reflects the diverse community served by these organizations (Arcidiacono et al, 2015 ; Holzer, Harry; Neumark, 1999 ; Kurtulus, 2016 ). The American Association of Medical Colleges and other health professional organizations also established pathway and mentoring programs to increase the physician workforce from historically underrepresented backgrounds (Fontenot & McMurray, 2020 ; Jacob, 2015 ; Merchant & Omary, 2010 ). Because these DEI policies are carried out in concert with continuing efforts to eliminate the shortage of high-status healthcare workers (e.g., a partnership between healthcare and institutions to increase enrollment, federal legislatures to increase residency positions eligible for graduate medical education under Medicare, accelerated baccalaureate and master degree in nursing programs, the National Health Services Corp Student to Service Loan Repayment Program, etc.…”