Improving Diversity Through Strategic Planning

Abstract

The Medical University of South Carolina launched a systematic plan to infuse diversity among its students, resident physicians, and faculty in 2002. The dean and stakeholders of the College of Medicine (COM) embraced the concept that a more population-representative physician workforce could contribute to the goals of providing quality medical education and addressing health care disparities in South Carolina. Diversity became a central component of the COM's strategic plan, and all departments developed diversity plans consistent with the overarching plan of the COM. Liaisons from the COM diversity committee facilitated the development of the department's diversity plans. By 2011, the efforts resulted in a doubling of the number of underrepresented-in-medicine (URM, defined as African American, Latino, Native American) students (21% of student body); matriculation of 10 African American males as first-year medical students annually for four consecutive years; more than a threefold increase in URM residents/fellows; expansion of pipeline programs; expansion of mentoring programs; almost twice as many URM faculty; integration of cultural competency throughout the medical school curriculum; advancement of women and URM individuals into leadership positions; and enhanced learning for individuals from all backgrounds. This article reports the implementation of an institutional plan to create a more racially representative workforce across the academic continuum. The authors emphasize the role of the stakeholders in promoting diversity, the value of annual assessment to evaluate outcomes, and the positive benefits for individuals of all backgrounds.

Preparation for Medical School via an Intensive Summer Program for Future Doctors: A Pilot Study of Student Confidence and Reasoning Skills

“…Students from minority groups also scored significantly lower on knowledge-based exams than did students from non-minority groups. These findings are consistent with other studies wherein the performance of students from minority groups during medical school is found to be lower, thereby indicating a need for strong academic support services for minority medical students (Deas et al, 2012;Odom et al, 2007). These findings were not surprising to us, given the long history of our school's involvement in offering medical education to students from under-represented groups and our excellent level of academic support services consistent with that mission.…”

“…By 1991 nearly half of all medical schools offered some type of pre-professional training programs designed to increase the representation of URM students (Cantor, Bergeisen and Baker, 1998). Although limited evidence exists concerning the effectiveness of these programs, there is some indication that they have proven successful in increasing minority student participation in medical school (Pechura, 2001;Cantor et al, 1998;Hesser, Cregler and Lewis, 1998;Andrioloe and Jeffe, 2011;Deas, et al, 2012) and achieving diversity-related educational outcomes (Saha, Guiton, Wimmers and Wilkerson, 2008).…”

The STRIVE Initiative: A Resident-Led Mentorship Framework for Underrepresented Minority Medical Students

“…In addition, a more rigorous outcome evaluation is planned, including residency Match results, standardized examination scores, and prevalence of burnout and isolation. 14…”

Diversity of United States medical students by region compared to US census data

“…Institutional initiatives intended to increase medical student diversity have been well documented. 1 , 2 Proposed benefits of racial diversity within US medical schools, and subsequently of physician providers, include reducing or eliminating health disparities, enhancing the ability of physicians to care for diverse patient populations, and establishing a physician workforce that encourages the involvement of diverse patients in clinical research. 1 The United States Census Bureau (USCB) provides population data that includes race within four regions and nine subregions of the US.…”