Commitment to Diversity

In the 21st century there will be no dominant ethnic majority in the United States, and the University of the future must reflect that diversity. Excellence in teaching and research cannot succeed without the perspective and experience of people from all parts of the world. We are firmly committed to the concept that ethnic diversity is critical to the vitality of our program in particular, and the future of dermatologic research, medical research, and basic science research in general. To this end, we particularly welcome and encourage applicants from underserved minority groups. Below, we present some examples of the commitment to diversity that exists within the University of Michigan, its Medical School, and the Department of Dermatology.

A. The University

In the 1970's and 80's the U of M launched programs to address the concerns of the Black Action Movements, women, and Asian and Latino students. However, toward the end of the last decade, it became clear that simply opening doors - providing access - was not adequate. To implement the dramatic change necessary to recruit and retain underrepresented minority students and women, the Michigan Mandate was initiated by former University President James Duderstadt. This program has committed our University to a long term process of self-evaluation and change, as evidenced by current high-profile court actions against the University by members of the white majority. The University continues to fight this battle and has won its first court case (for details, visit http://www.umich.edu/~urel/admissions/). As a reflection of the University's committment to diversity, the numbers of underrepresented minority students and faculty of color has steadily increased. The University strongly supports and encourages the diversity programs of the Medical School and the Department of Dermatology.

B. The Medical School

Due to its size, the Medical School is a major component of the Michigan Mandate. The School supports and encourages all departments to identify, hire and retain underrepresented minority students. The School maintains a minority affairs division within its faculty affairs office. The Medical School's Deans Council of Chairs, which meets monthly, utilizes three meetings a year to evaluate minority recruitment success and failures. The Medical School participates in a number of initiatives to increase its number of applicants from underrepresented groups at the high school, college, and post-baccalaureate levels, including the Inteflex Program (combined BA/MD program), and the Macy Minorities in Medicine Program which brings fifty high school students to the Ann Arbor campus for two weeks each summer. We send representatives to premed club and career planning functions at Michigan colleges each year. Faculty or other medical school representatives participate in programs sponsored on campus by the Black Premedical Association. We also send representatives to selected national conferences which target minority premed membership, such as the Student National Medical Association and the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Native Americans in Science. In addition, the Medical School has sponsored a federally funded Health Careers Opportunity Program for many years. Minority students who have applied to medical schools but were not successful in gaining admission may apply for entry to this one-year program. Eight students with good potential for improvement in science coursework are selected each year. Students take advanced biology and biochemistry courses and do a research project. They have guaranteed acceptance to the medical school upon successful completion of the program.

The Medical School Admissions Office makes a special effort to select a generous percentage of its strong minority applicants for interview each year. In addition, minority students offered admission are eligible for merit scholarships which are supported by funds identified for support of minority students. Applicants attending an Interview Day have the opportunity to spend time with current students, who serve as hosts for a luncheon and tour of the facilities. Representatives from the BMA (Black Medical Association) and LANAMA (Latin American/Native American Medical Association), two minority student organizations, also attend the lunch and are provided with names of minority applicants so they can bring personal greetings from their respective groups.

C. The Department of Dermatology

These University and the Medical School initiatives are extremely valuable, but experience has shown that these efforts by themselves are insufficient to maximize recruitment of individuals from underrepresented groups. To accomplish this goal, the Department of Dermatology has had an active diversity program since 1985. In 1991, this program was formalized into the Department of Dermatology Minority Recruitment Strategic Plan. A focal point for the program is the department's Diversity Committee. This committee is composed of research and clinical faculty, research trainees, and residents in training in Dermatology. Based on the Diversity Committee's efforts, several specific steps to increase diversity have been undertaken. Examples of steps taken include: (i) increasing the number of minority medical students who visit our department; (ii) giving special attention to minority students and residents rotating through our department; (iii) actively involving our current minority trainees in recruiting new trainees and in evaluating their applications; and (iv) networking with former minority graduates enlisting their assistance in identifying new trainees.

The celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday each year in January is always a departmental event. In the past speakers have included leaders in Dermatology representing underserved groups, including Luis Diaz, M.D. (former U of M faculty member and accomplished scientist), Charles McDonald, M.D. (Chair at Brown Univ), Paul Kelley, M.D. (Chair at King-Drew Medical Center), John Kenney, M.D. (former Chair Howard Univ), Rebat Halder, M.D. (current Chair at Howard), Michael Bigby, M.D., (Harvard Univ), and Ponciano Cruz, M.D. (Vice Chair, Univ of Texas Southwestern).

We strongly recognize the importance of increasing the awareness of our department's focus on diversity within the Medical School community. To help accomplish this goal, one of our African American residents presents an hour-long lecture on black skin to the entire medical student class annually.

Between 1986 and 1996, 61 residents matriculated to our residency program. Of these 19 (31%) were minority (including 7 African-Americans and 2 Hispanics), and 25 (41%) were women. For the 1995 residency class, we interviewed 39 applicants, 36% were minority and 38% were women. Thirty applicants were ranked for a computer matching program; 43% were minority and 37% were women. Of 6 who matched into our program, 83% were minority and 17% were women.