Welcome to the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion webpage for the Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.
CU PM&R is committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of our clinical, academic, and service work. We recognize that diversity encompasses differences in race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, and political beliefs.
In alignment with the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation's (AAPM&R) Diversity and Inclusion Statement, we strive to create a culture that is inclusive and respectful of all individuals, where all members feel valued, respected, and supported. This includes not just promoting diversity but also actively working to eliminate discrimination, bias, and disparities in our department.
Our department also follows the University of Colorado School of Medicine Diversity Plan, which aims to increase the diversity of the medical student body, faculty, and staff, and to foster an inclusive environment where all members feel respected and valued.
Our CU PM&R Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee is dedicated to implementing these goals through:
Collectively, we will strive to ensure that our patients receive culturally appropriate, quality medical care. Together, we can create a more inclusive and equitable environment for our patients, faculty, and staff.
The committee is aided by the consultation of our Advisory Group, Krista Walker, PhD (DEI training consultation), and Olawunmi Ogunwo, JD, PHR (HR/legal consultation).
The INCLUDES project (Inclusion across the Nation of Communities of Learners of Underrepresented Discoverers in Engineering and Science) is an NSF-funded initiative to promote the recruitment, hiring, and retention of STEM faculty from underrepresented groups.
The INCLUDES project has recently evolved into an alliance called, “Aspire: The National Alliance for Inclusive & Diverse STEM Faculty”. The NSF INCLUDES Aspire Alliance is broadly pursuing strategic goals focused on faculty:
The Aspire Alliance program assessment process aims to deepen our understanding about the strategies and conditions that support increasing inclusivity and diversity in STEM departments and programs (which includes medicine). The PM&R DEI Committee has recommended that our department engage in the Aspire Alliance program assessment process.
The resulting findings from the proposed Aspire Alliance Self-Study at PM&R should identify the factors that will help to inform what propels or impedes efforts to foster diversity and inclusion in our department.
This is a broad effort that will depend on our collective contributions. The Office of Diversity and Inclusion has graciously offered to assist with this process over the next academic year. The committee will provide the report to the Department Chair and make the findings available to our faculty and staff. More updates will be provided soon about the process, the timelines, and our progress.
End of affirmative action makes it harder for medical schools to fix community health inequities
Earlier this summer, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that race-conscious admissions in higher education, commonly known as affirmative action, is unconstitutional. In this article, Colorado Public Radio contributor Paolo Zialcita examines the impact this could have on addressing healthcare inequities, with interviews by various members of the CU Anschutz community.
Future suggestions by PM&R faculty and staff for articles to consider for The Current Read may be forwarded to: zachary.noriega@cuanschutz.edu.
Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Community Engagement
Office for Educational Outreach and Pathway Initiatives
Center for Identity & Inclusion
Veteran & Military Student Services
Office of Resolution Management, Diversity & Inclusion (ORMDI)
Office of Academic Affiliations Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
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