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SWAGÊÓƵStudents

Diversity at VCOM

Diversity: Respecting our individual differences
Equity: Creating equal access to opportunity
Inclusion: Instilling a sense of belonging and value

The Mission of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee is to support Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) in its mission to prepare globally-minded, community-focused physicians to meet the needs of rural and medically underserved populations. Our goal is to provide the SWAGÊÓƵCommunity with the tools needed to affect positive and lasting change in their daily lives and their medical practices. The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee consists of administrators, staff members, students and physicians focused on promoting a learning environment that educates not only on the sciences but on equality, equity, diversity and inclusion.

The Osteopathic philosophy is a belief in a holistic approach to human health care, which focuses on caring for the patient as a whole. Osteopathic physicians have traditionally served in both urban and rural communities, in populations of a broad socioeconomic range and diverse backgrounds. SWAGÊÓƵseeks to carry on this tradition and educate a future workforce in a time when health reform, demographic changes, and economic challenges are formidable.

 VCOM, comprised of multiple campuses, communities, and people, is committed to supporting and promoting:

  • Recognition of diversity as the richness of human differences, including race, ethnicity, nationality, sex and gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, disability, geography, and socioeconomic status.
  • Inclusion on campus to create a climate that fosters respect and a sense of belonging for our diverse student body, faculty, and staff.
  • Initiatives leading to equality and helping to abolish social injustice in healthcare for a sustainable and equitable healthcare system.  

The SWAGÊÓƵcommunity advocates for a mindset of supporting diversity as a richness of human differences and fostering a sense of belonging, respect, and value for all.

As a college of osteopathic medicine, each campus also recognizes the need to address health disparities in all individuals and populations. As a SWAGÊÓƵcommunity, we will all be successful when everyone is given an equitable opportunity to succeed.

VCOM’s curriculum includes issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.  The curriculum is designed to equip medical students and future physicians with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to address diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within healthcare settings. Focusing on improving care delivery for all populations, it explores critical issues affecting both patients and providers, emphasizing cultural competence and the social, economic, and psychological factors that influence health outcomes.  By the end of the curriculum, students will have developed a deep understanding of DEI issues, gained practical skills in culturally responsive care, and be equipped to advocate for policies and practices that advance health equity for all individuals, regardless of their background or circumstances.

SWAGÊÓƵalso offers training on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) annually to all employees.  Providing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) training to faculty and staff is essential for fostering an inclusive, respectful, and supportive environment in educational institutions. The training helps individuals recognize and address unconscious biases, promotes understanding of diverse cultures and identities, and equips staff and faculty with strategies to create more equitable and inclusive classrooms and workplaces. This training is vital in ensuring that all students and colleagues feel valued, supported, and given equal opportunities to succeed, while also encouraging a culture of respect, collaboration, and social responsibility. Ultimately, DEI training empowers faculty and staff to build a more inclusive and harmonious community.

For more information on VCOM’s student race/ethnicity and gender demographics for the last four years view our . Upon request, SWAGÊÓƵwill provide up to three years of race/ethnicity and gender demographic data for its faculty and staff.  To request this data contact, Patty Smith, Director for Institutional, Licensure, Reporting, and Accreditation Support at 540-231-2698.

SWAGÊÓƵsupports a richly diverse student body

Increasing the diversity of physicians in the Appalachian and Delta Regions of the United States is an integral part of the College's mission, which is why the College is committed to recruitment efforts that support a diverse student body including first-generation students. SWAGÊÓƵis proud of its holistic admissions process and summer education and enrichment programs that help recruit students from our target areas. In addition, we regularly present exhibits at national meetings and conferences that focus on recruiting a richly diverse student body. The College also offers several scholarships for diverse populations of students. 

SWAGÊÓƵis committed to increasing healthcare access for those most in need, which is why VCOM's outreach activities embrace caring for diverse populations throughout the southeastern United States and through our global health programs. These outreach opportunities provide broader global health educational opportunities and allow SWAGÊÓƵstudents to make a difference in both the United States and abroad while they are attending medical school. 

SWAGÊÓƵhas also been recognized by INSIGHT Into Diversity Magazine with its Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award four times, most recently in 2022 and 2023.

College Wide Resources

The College has gathered additional resources such as books, podcasts and websites that address diversity, inclusion, bias and so much more.

More Information

 

Student Organizations

Student organizations and committees are a very important part of the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM). The service performed by members of student organizations benefit not only the community and the region, but also the members, as they gain valuable knowledge, skills and experience.

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Rotation Opportunities

Graduate medical education (GME) programs across the country are offering opportunities for rotations that aim to advance diversity, health equity and inclusion. 

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Supporting the SWAGÊÓƵCommunity:

SWAGÊÓƵutilizes the Human Resource Department and Directors for Human Resources as the point of contact for reporting of acts of discrimination, harassment, and violence, and the Department is also considered by SWAGÊÓƵas the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Office.  The SWAGÊÓƵDirectors for Human Resources are educated to implement the appropriate legal steps in addressing both Title IX and non-Title IX issues related to discrimination, harassment, and violence.  In addition to the legal steps, VCOM’s Directors for Human Resources also offer support to employees by mental health professionals where this is required.  This is provided through VCOM’s on-campus mental health counselors for students and by mental health professionals offered through SWAGÊÓƵinsurance plan for employees.

To promote college-wide diversity, equity and inclusion, each campus also has a Director for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, with membership from the faculty, staff, and students.  A College-wide Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee also exists with membership from the faculty, staff, and students from all campuses.  The SWAGÊÓƵCampus Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committees and the College-Wide Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee are charged to recognize diversity and inclusion as an essential component of health, to promote equity and fairness on our campus, and to engage our faculty, staff, and students in a manner that all feel engaged, valued, and productive.  As an osteopathic medical school, the committees also support the need to address health disparities as they relate to diverse populations that become disadvantaged.  The committees’ charge goes beyond addressing areas of concern on campus and encompasses a culture of inclusion in serving our communities and patients, engaging our faculty, students, and staff to recognize these needs, and to advocate for equal access to quality healthcare.  As SWAGÊÓƵcampuses are in four states, which have varying laws related to DEI, the above structure allows SWAGÊÓƵto offer DEI support in a meaningful way while also adhering to the laws of each state.

The Director for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion on each of the four SWAGÊÓƵcampuses promotes an inclusive atmosphere where all students, faculty, and staff feel welcomed and respected.  Each Director chairs the SWAGÊÓƵDiversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee on their campus and guides a mindset of supporting diversity as a richness of human differences and encompassing age, gender, sex, race, color, creed, national origin, religion, ancestry, marital status, pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a protected veteran, and geography; and fosters a sense of belonging, respect, and value for all.

The Director also meets with the various diverse student organizations and representatives of a diverse student body to hear their concerns in a safe space, and assist with planning to address the concerns in a positive manner that supports both the students and the College as a whole. Students can be assured that the Directors Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion will be available to meet with them to address concerns in confidence.

VCOM’s Directors for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion serve as a conduit of information with the Campus Dean and higher administration on suggestions for positive change toward improving inclusion on campus and in the community, to promote equal access to health and healthcare and reduce healthcare disparities.