Diversity Council

In recognition of the urgent need for the field of medicine to continue to adapt to and better align with societal needs and expectations, a growing number of leaders in academic medicine have called for academic health centers to redouble their efforts to increase the diversity of students, faculty and staff and contribute to environments where all people feel seen, heard, and valued. While we work towards building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive healthcare workforce, it is of paramount importance to review and distill what we have learned from past efforts so that future energy can be spent intelligently to ensure greater impact going forward. (Association of American Medical Colleges. Striving Toward Excellence: Faculty Diversity in Medical Education. 2009)

The University of Colorado School of Medicine’s diversity programs seek to enhance diversity and cultural competency in the health care workforce, improve access to health care for poor, minoritized and under-served populations and ultimately eliminate racial, ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in health and health services. (S. Lowenstein, R. Richards. University of Colorado School of Medicine Diversity Plan. 2015)

The School of Medicine Diversity Council serves as an “oversight council” for the school's Office of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (ODEI). This council focuses on programs and activities aimed at fulfilling the School of Medicine’s Diversity Mission Statement and successfully implementing the Diversity Plan. This committee is chaired by the Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Amira del Pino-Jones, MD.

Diversity Council Composition
Members of the Diversity Council include:

• ODEI Leadership Team
• Faculty representative(s) from SOM Admissions
• Representative(s) from Student Affairs
• Representative(s) from Faculty Affairs
• Representative(s) from Graduate Medical Education
• Representative(s) from clinical faculty
• Thread director(s) of the cultural competency and medicine and society curricula
• Medical students (DEI Class Reps)
• Graduate students (DEI Reps)
• PT students (DEI Class Reps)
• PA students (DEI Leaders)
• Residents and/or fellows (MARC Leadership)
• At least two full-time faculty members
• Community leaders