In what has become an annual honor, VCOM’s work to build a richly diverse community has again been recognized by INSIGHT Into Diversity Magazine.ÌýÌý
In October 2024, the College was honored with the magazine’s . This is the fifth time SWAGÊÓƵhas been named as a Health Professions HEED Award recipient.Ìý
INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine is the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education, and their annual Health Professions HEED Award is a national honor recognizing U.S. health colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusionÌý
I’m very proud that the SWAGÊÓƵcommunity advocates for a mindset of supporting diversity as a richness of human differences fostering a sense of belonging, respect and value for all. Educating future physicians on the importance of diversity in the health care system is crucial. More inclusivity and representation amongst healthcare professionals can ease patient anxieties, increase compliance and improve patient outcomes.
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SWAGÊÓƵhas established several programs as part of its daily commitment to diversity, including:Ìý
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A commitment to recruiting students from underserved and rural communities.Ìý
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A college-wide Office for Diversity and Inclusion, which helps SWAGÊÓƵrecruit diverse students, faculty and staff across its four campuses, as well as DEI committees on each campus, ensuring that the particular needs of students at each campus are being addressed.Ìý
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Partnering with select HBCUs and institutions with large Hispanic populations to form articulation agreements and guarantee interview slots to their students.Ìý
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Operating the Summer Enrichment Experience summer program for high school students, which introduces them to medical professions. The program is offered at no cost to diverse and first-generation students.ÌýÌý
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Working closely with and supporting the Area Health Education Consortium (AHEC) which promotes programs for minorities, rural and first-generation students.Ìý
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Supporting the work of a variety of student groups that enrich campus life with many guest speakers and seminars related to diversity in connection with healthcare and osteopathy topics, like treating LGBTQ+ patients, trauma-informed osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) practices and providing care to Muslim women.Ìý