Increasing the diversity of physicians in the Appalachian and Delta Regions of the United States is an integral part of the mission of the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM), which is why the College is committed to recruiting and supporting historically underrepresented and first-generation students.
INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education, has recognized VCOM’s efforts with its 2022 Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award. This is a national honor recognizing the top 4% of U.S. medical colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion. This is the third time VCOM has been honored with this award.
Demographic changes and economic challenges in the southeastern United States are a fact of life. Physicians who understand these changes and appreciate the full spectrum of human diversity in the communities they serve will be much better equipped to meet the needs of those communities. That is why VCOM is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion efforts across its four campuses.
Those efforts include community outreach, a holistic admissions process, exhibits at national meetings and conferences that focus on underrepresented groups, as well as summer education and enrichment programs. Each campus also has a Diversity Officer and resources, as well as a Center of Institutional, Faculty and Student success, which provides academic assistance to all students. The College’s administration and student groups have hosted many guest speakers related to diversity, including healthcare-related topics such as disparities in healthcare delivery for African Americans, treating LGBTQ+ patients and providing care to Muslim women.
The College also offers several scholarships for minority students, including those for students enrolled from affiliated Minority Association for Premedical Students (MAPS) chapters and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Further, VCOM has active chapters of the Student National Medical Association, American Medical Women’s Association, the Muslim Medical Association, the Hispanic Community Medial Outreach Organization and others.
This isn’t the first acknowledgment the College has received. VCOM is the only medical school recipient of the Minority Access Award for its contributions to diversity; it has won that award for nine years. The College’s associate dean for multicultural affairs is co-chair of the Diversity Council for the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine.
Enhancing diversity in healthcare really is at the heart of VCOM’s mission to care for medically underserved populations, so I’m pleased to be honored with the HEED Award. VCOM is committed to effectively training the next generation of physicians with the cultural competency to provide the highest quality medical care to every human being, from all ethnic backgrounds. We will continue to recruit, support and retain both students and faculty who bring their much-needed perspectives to the work we do.
-Dixie Tooke-Rawlins, DO, FACOFP , VCOM President and Provost
VCOM, along with 64 other recipients of the award, will be featured in the December 2022 issue of the magazine. “The Health Professions HEED Award process consists of a comprehensive and rigorous application that includes questions relating to the recruitment and retention of students and employees — and best practices for both — continued leadership support for diversity, and other aspects of campus diversity and inclusion,” said Lenore Pearlstein, publisher of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. “Our standards are high, and we look for schools where diversity and inclusion are woven into the work being done every day across their campus.” For more information about the 2022 Health Professions HEED Award, visit insightintodiversity.com.
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