Dear UMass Chan Community,
It is an honor to present you with the 2023-2024 annual report of the Diversity and Inclusion Office (DIO). This academic year has been a pivotal one for the DIO as we continued our unwavering commitment to fostering an inclusive and equitable learning and working environment where all can thrive and succeed. The ever-growing urgency and significance of our work was reflected this year in our social contexts, with jurisdictions across the country resulting in debates and frequent legislative and judicial actions questioning the role of diversity, equity and inclusion in science, medicine, health care and our society. As the impacts of these decisions developed and evolved, the DIO continued to examine their implications for our community, our goals and our mission and values. By continuing our journey and commitment to upholding the values of diversity, equity and inclusion in our programs, policies and practices, we supported our institution’s mission and values to advance health and wellness through education, research and health care delivery while promoting an inclusive environment that respects and values diversity in all forms.
With the Diversity Pillar of the IMPACT 2025 strategic plan as our guide, our work this year was anchored in four key areas: culture and climate, education, community building and quality improvement and accountability. Key efforts included improving our processes and procedures for assessing incidents of bias and discrimination; conducting
more nuanced analyses of the Diversity Engagement Survey (DES) to understand the experiences of demographic groups and departments; facilitating open dialogues on community values; creating opportunities to learn and discuss the role of racism in medicine; and supporting departments through the development of their own strategic action plans. In the area of culture and climate, we worked diligently to assess and enhance the day-to-day experiences of our staff, learners and faculty. The results of our Diversity Engagement Survey represent a major milestone in accountability. While last year, we were proud to report that UMass Chan received overall favorable ratings on its diversity and inclusion efforts, this year we took steps to maintain this favorable trajectory, beginning with the appointment of an assistant director for equity, inclusion and campus climate and Title IX coordinator. With the creation of this role, we saw revisions to the Appropriate Treatment of Learners policy and procedures and we built capacity to facilitate difficult dialogues that address incidents of harm through a restorative framework.
Our educational initiatives have been designed to raise awareness and deepen understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion principles, particularly in relation to health care delivery, education and research. Keen on reflecting these themes within our programs and initiatives, we chose the book, Legacy: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine by Uché Blackstock, MD, as our Diversity Campus Read and our speaker series Centering the Margins followed suit as its slate of speakers led us to examine racism in medicine through various intersectional lenses.
This year, our efforts to build community within UMass Chan have been central to our mission. We have prioritized initiatives that bring together learners, faculty and staff across diverse backgrounds, experiences and disciplines, fostering a sense of belonging and mutual respect. Central to these efforts has been the implementation of restorative justice practices, which have provided a framework for reaffirming our values during social crisis, developing community agreements, addressing conflicts and strengthening relationships within our community. Through workshops and facilitated community circle discussions among departments, labs and affinity groups, we have created intentional spaces for meaningful connection and dialogue, promoting an inclusive culture where every voice is valued. Our commitment to community building has enhanced collaboration and reinforced our shared purpose of advancing health and wellness through education, research and service.
We know this work is ongoing, but it takes deep commitment, collaboration and shared values to ensure it continues. I thank the DIO team members for all the ways their hard work has kept our web of interconnectedness intact. Most of all, I thank the entire UMass Chan community for believing in and leaning into this work. We feel the difference because of your willingness to work—seen or unseen—alongside us and this annual report reflects this commitment. Let us continue advancing this work together and celebrating the strides we have made in our pursuit of a more diverse, equitable and inclusive community.
Marlina Duncan, EdD Vice Chancellor for Diversity and Inclusion
DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION PILLAR
Following the addition of the diversity, equity and inclusion pillar to the IMPACT 2025 strategic plan, we have been pleased to see the community hard at work and taking ownership in ensuring that the objectives and goals of the pillar are realized. The 2023-2024 academic year is unique in that we are fully entrenched in implementation but also on the cusp of evaluation as 2025 approaches. As we continue to advance together to achieve a more diverse, equitable and inclusive environment, we will continue to implement and examine our work through our priority areas as follows:
Culture and Climate
Integrate diversity, equity and inclusion into the organization, ensuring that DEI is a priority and develop and implement antiracist and inclusive policies and processes across the institution.
Curriculum and Scholarship
Implement and integrate anti-racist and anti-biased curriculum, enhance inclusive pedagogy and practices and increase opportunities for expanding awareness and knowledge on matters of racism in medicine and the impact of structural racism in health care.
Education and Engagement
Increase DEI education, engagement and capacity through professional development, community building and educational and research opportunities.
Accountability and Quality Improvement
Create annual review processes for evaluation and assessment of ongoing DEI initiatives and programs.
Recruitment, Retention and Advancement
Establish a portfolio of programs that support recruitment, mentorship and advancement of underrepresented and marginalized individuals.
Culture and Climate
In the area of culture and climate, the DIO focused on enhancing the day-to-day experiences of staff, learners and faculty by assessing and responding to community feedback, building capacity to address incidents of harm and facilitating restorative dialogues to build community. These efforts have reinforced a culture of accountability and inclusivity across the institution.
Assistant director for equity, inclusion and campus climate
In November Jeanna Lee, PhD, joined the DIO as assistant director for equity, inclusion and campus climate and Title IX coordinator. She focuses on the development, implementation and administration of policy and programming aimed at improving equity and inclusion throughout UMass Chan. Since joining the DIO team, Dr. Lee has worked with Human Resources to develop mandatory training for staff on Title IX reporting; and has created literature, updated content and made numerous presentations across departments to ensure an understanding of informed consent when it comes to reporting incidents of discrimination. Lee has also collaborated with departments and offices such as the Office of Student Life, the Office of Faculty Affairs and the Office of Management to develop programming aimed at improving inclusion and belonging for all marginalized groups.
Scan for more informaton regarding Title IX and Discrimination Reporting
Boston Globe recognizes UMass Chan for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Practices
Taking a deep dive into the policies that support diversity, equity and inclusion at its Top Places to Work, the Boston Globe and its data collection partner, Energage, found that the Medical School was among 23 companies that stood out as 2023 “DEI champions.” Chancellor Michael F. Collins noted that the achievement underscores our commitment to fostering a collaborative and connected community while Vice Chancellor Duncan mentioned listening to the needs of the members of our community as a key factor in carrying out diversity, equity and inclusion work.
Restorative Justice
Since training 30 UMass Chan community members in restorative justice in February 2023, the DIO has been facilitating restorative justice conversations for community building, trust building and creating space to dialogue during social unrest. In this 2023-2024 academic year, over 10 community building circles were facilitated across departments, research labs and offices. The circles, held for faculty, staff at all levels and learners, are a way to establish and reaffirm shared values and build relationships with people
“I really hope we can strive to get others in ForHealth to participate and then integrate into our everyday interactions. This type of communication was beyond valuable and much needed in our organization to continue evolving our culture.” sharing a collaborative space. In addition to facilitating circles, the DIO has actively promoted restorative justice practices as a key strategy for enhancing community building across the institution by offering presentations that introduce restorative justice practices and their potential for addressing conflicts, fostering open communication, and building stronger, more inclusive teams to ensure a sense of belonging for all.
Education, Engagement and Curriculum
This past year, our educational initiatives have continued to grow, reflecting our commitment to fostering an environment where diversity, equity and inclusion and belonging are deeply embedded in our institution.
DEI Foundational Trainings and On-Demand Workshops
A significant highlight was our on-demand foundational training, which successfully attracted more than 500 participants. These sessions were designed to be accessible at any time, catering to the busy schedules of our staff and faculty, and providing flexible learning options that allow participants to enhance their knowledge at their own pace. Feedback from these sessions has been overwhelmingly positive.
“I loved the engaging environment, presentation, activities and self-assessments. I also thought the video examples were excellent and explained important topics from a different perspective.”
Focused on practical application, the DEI foundational trainings cover critical topics such as unconscious bias, microaggressions and inclusive hiring practices. These sessions are tailored to meet the specific needs of various departments and groups within the institution, enhancing relevance and impact. Over the past three academic years, our foundational trainings have engaged more than 2,100 individuals. These trainings have also been integrated into curricula and continuing professional education across UMass Chan, including in departmental grand rounds, in all three schools, and in graduate medical education.
Curriculum
Our collaborative efforts with the Office of Undergraduate Medical Education in the T.H. Chan School of Medicine and the Graduate Entry Program (GEP) in the Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing resulted in diversity, equity and inclusion curricular enhancements, such as the facilitation of three lectures for first year medical students focused on unconscious bias, cultural humility and genderaffirming care, and a lecture on unconscious bias for GEP students. Further, the DIO also offered lectures to residents focused on unconscious bias in both patient care and interprofessional working groups. This initiative is part of our broader strategy to integrate diversity, equity and inclusion more deeply into our curriculum, ensuring that future health professionals are well-equipped to address the nuances of equity and inclusion in their practices.
DEI Leadership Development Program
In 2023, the DIO piloted the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Leadership Development Program designed to prepare and empower current and emerging diversity, equity and inclusion leaders within UMass Chan. Since the pilot, the DIO continues to offer professional development to monthly program participants to support their ongoing subject matter expertise.
Centering the Margins
The DIO continued its Centering the Margins speaker series to create a space to engage in informal dialogue on the unique experiences related to marginalized populations. This academic year, the event’s community advisory board featuring members from the UMass Chan and the Worcester community established the theme, Racism in Health Care. Below is a list of all the sessions that we hosted in 2023-2024, with feedback and guidance from the community advisory board.
Centering the Margins 2023-2024
Sept. 2023
Oct 2023
Nov 2023
Feb 2024
March 2024
May 2024
June 2024
History of Racism in Health Care and its Effect on Indigenous Health: A Panel Discussion
Cheryll Holley, chief of the Hassawnamisco Nipmuc
Nicole Kazarian, MEd, RN, supervisor for the nursing department, Worcester Public Schools
Lundy Braun, PhD, professor of medical science and Africana studies at Brown University
Bringing Your Full Self to Work: Overcoming Barriers and Building Bridges
Kevin D. Neal, author, speaker-trainer-life & leadership coach
The Impact of Anti-Asian Racism in Healthcare
Xiaoduo Fan, MD, MPH, professor of psychiatry, director of UMass MIND, UMass Memorial Health, UMass Chan Medical School
“My Black Life”
Dominique Hardy, racial justice trainer, advisor, former director of race and gender equity at the YWCA of Central Massachusetts
Creating Brave Spaces: Honoring Black Nurses Day
Hannah Hermanson, MPH, project management consultant, Nursing Council on Workforce Sustainability,
Fawzi Belal, MS, DEI associate, Washington Center for Nursing
Students for Fair Admission vs. Harvard/UNC: Tacking Through the Headwinds in Pursuit of Equity in Health care
Renee Landers, JD, professor of law and faculty director, health and biomedical law concentration, Suffolk University Law School
Tracy Kedian, MD, associate dean of admissions, T.H. Chan School of Medicine
Trauma, Identity, and Supervision Toward Holistic Well-being in Academic Medicine
Chelsea Pratt, PhD, researcher, trauma scholar educator, co-creator, The Higher Education Supervision Project
Diversity Campus Read
In the winter of 2024, the DIO hosted its annual Diversity Campus Read, featuring the book Legacy: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine by Uché Blackstock, MD. Through Dr. Blackstock’s deep and profound narrative, readers learned of the personal experience of racism in medicine experienced by the author and were given the historical context underlying the low representation of Black physicians in medicine. Blackstock’s book is a reminder of the position physicians of color often find themselves in as they navigate deeply racist systems, and how their resilience and perseverance become pivotal in challenging and transforming these systems.
The book not only sheds light on the barriers and systemic inequities faced by Black physicians but also emphasizes the need for continued advocacy and systemic change. By sharing Dr. Blackstock’s story, the Diversity Campus Read fostered a critical dialogue among participants about the importance of addressing racial disparities in health care and the ongoing efforts required to create a more inclusive and equitable medical environment for all.
The DIO, in partnership with the Lamar Soutter Library, offered a reader’s guide for those seeking to process the book in anticipation of Blackstock’s visit. The office also facilitated book discussions, offering participants the opportunity to expand on the information presented, explore strategies for cultivating one’s own niche in advocating for change based on experiences, positionality and expertise; and develop concrete next steps as a community.
Black Maternal Health Week’s Community Baby Shower
The DIO’s Multicultural Women’s Health Summit hosted a Community Baby Shower this academic year. Collaborating with the organization GlōMom, which partners with community organizations to disseminate information about pregnancy, postpartum and family care, the event was held during Black Maternal Health Week to bring light to the alarming statistics regarding preventable Black maternal and infant deaths. The event welcomed local parents and their support networks and children to UMass Chan and provided information about preparing for pregnancy, labor and postpartum.
We are grateful to the many local organizations that helped to sponsor this event and participated through volunteering and facilitating information sessions. We are also grateful for the radical display of generosity from local community organizations and the UMass Chan and UMass Memorial Health communities. Through their gifts and donations, the “Babies and Bumps Marketplace” overflowed with items for every new and expectant parent in attendance. The event’s aim was to promote awareness, activism and community building, and amplify the voices of pregnant people of color.
Diversity and Inclusion Signature Events
A time to center the many cultures that have shaped the worldviews and lives of members of the UMass Chan community, heritage months are an intentional way to celebrate the breadth and depth of our diversity. Acknowledging the contributions and histories of groups from different cultures and ethnicities is a simple, yet powerful, way to remind us all that we are seen and belong. Moreso, there is no better way to learn than to be fully immersed. Heritage months teach us about how far people have come and what work still must be done to achieve a full sense of belonging.
In 2023-2024, the DIO curated lectures featuring dynamic speakers who offered opportunities for solidarity and action. Listed below are the heritage and identity recognition month celebrations that were hosted by our office in the 2023-2024 year.
LGBTQ+ Convocation Welcome Celebration
The LGBTQ+ Convocation Welcome Celebration is an important part of Convocation week at UMass Chan. Held at the time when students return to campus, this event brings the community together to learn about the pressing issues that weigh on members of the LGBTQ+ community and to work in partnership to eliminate barriers that prevent full inclusion and belonging. On Sept. 11, the DIO hosted the Convocation Welcome Celebration via a virtual talk and Q&A with artist and storyteller Joshua Croke, the president and co-founder of “Love Your Labels,” a nonprofit that gives LGBTQ+ youth the opportunity to safely claim labels through art, fashion and design. The LGBTQ+ community continues to teach us what it means to bravely be our authentic selves and how to walk alongside others in the ways they need to feel they belong.
Hispanic Heritage Month
On Sept. 26, the DIO invited Aldo Garcia-Guevara, PhD, professor of history and chair of interdisciplinary studies at Worcester State University, as the keynote speaker for Hispanic Heritage Month. In his talk, Dr. Garcia-Guevara reminded us that Hispanics are not a monolith and elaborated on distinctions among their various identities. Simultaneously, Garcia-Guevara taught us that camaraderie is crucial to the survival of Hispanic immigrants in the places they settle, including Worcester. Garcia –Guevara shared challenges that the Hispanic community still experiences today with some insights on how the Supreme Court of the United States regulations on Affirmative Action will affect Hispanic students, thus making our quest for collaborative outreach to students of minoritized demographics before college even more crucial. We were encouraged by Garcia-Guevera’s highlights of the ways Hispanic communities have thrived in Worcester through helping one another navigate access to public health services and through diversity and inclusion advocacy.
Native American Heritage Month
UMass Chan Medical School hosted its 2nd annual celebration of Native American Heritage Month on Nov. 29, where Athena Callendar, MBA, a Worcester native and member of the Hassanamisco Nipmuc Band presented, “Bridging the Gap:” An Exploration of the Relationship Between Modern Health Care Providers and Indigenous Populations. Callendar offered strategies to help rebuild trust, improve communication and deliver healthier outcomes for tribal communities. Callender conveyed that for the Hassanamisco Nipmuc, part of bridging the gap means finding a connection between native holistic medicinal practices and science-based medicine. These connections help the native populations who have struggled with many health issues but hesitate to go to the doctor due to discomfort and mistrust.
Black History Month
The DIO brought back its Black Excellence at UMass Chan series for Black History Month, with a focus on student scholarship. Anti-Black racism has long shaped negative perceptions of Black individuals in academia, particularly in STEM. Celebrating Black excellence allows us to challenge these narratives and highlight the achievements of underrepresented Black scholars.
This year’s Black Excellence at UMass Chan series highlighted the work of two students from the Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. Atinuke G. Oyinbo, MPH, a PhD candidate in the Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences discussed how acculturation research is conducted in the African diaspora and how it can be applied to Black migrant populations.
Favour Akabogu, a PhD student in the Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, discussed her research on therapeutic strategies for gastrointestinal stromal tumors.
Favor Akabogu, PhD student, speaking during the Black Excellence speaker series
The DIO also teamed up with UMass Chan’s Student National Medical Association to host a Community Movie Night. Two motion pictures, “Rustin” on the life and activism of Bayard Rustin, who trained key leaders in the art of nonviolence during the Civil Rights Movement and helped organize the March on Washington and the Pixar animation “Soul,” were screened.
Lunar New Year
On February 13, the DIO hosted an inaugural Lunar New Year event to celebrate the Year of the Dragon. Over 80 people were in attendance, including learners, faculty, staff and their families. There was a screening of the animated film, “Turning Red.”
In addition to the film, the DIO planned an array of family friendly activities. As part of the festivities, kids attending the event received a special New Year’s gift. The Lunar New Year Event was intended to foster connections, create lasting memories, and usher in good fortune for the year ahead.
The 36th Annual Martin Luther King Junior Tribute and Celebration of Service
The 36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration of Service was held virtually on January 31. This celebration is an opportunity for the UMass Chan community to come together and celebrate the legacy of Dr. King by highlighting the importance of service. The theme incorporates Dr. King’s lasting message that, “Everyone can be great because anyone can serve.”
This year’s celebration featured keynote speaker Joan Y. Reede, MD, MS, MPH, MBA, dean for diversity and community partnership and professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. Reede spoke of inclusion, equity and justice as addressing complex issues and ensuring viability, saying, “It is not about how we just achieve diversity and change what the picture looks like on the wall in the room. It is about understanding how diversity enables us to achieve excellence—inclusive excellence where diversity and excellence are not mutually exclusive, where we recognize the importance and value of ensuring that all in our environment are able to achieve their potential, are able to contribute, work in very intentional ways, and we collaborate across our systems to provide opportunities for individuals to excel.”
This gathering continues to be a signature event of the DIO because it not only gives us an opportunity to draw wisdom from the impactful life of Dr. King, but it is an opportunity to recognize faculty, students and staff for the ways they go above and beyond to demonstrate diversity, equity and inclusion as a value.
This year, Chancellor Michael F. Collins presented Sharina Person, PhD, the Dr. Marcellette G. Williams Senior Scholar and vice chair and professor, population & quantitative health sciences, with the of the 2024 Chancellor’s Award for Advancing Institutional Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion.
Students from across the three schools were awarded the Martin Luther King Jr. Semester of Service awards to implement health programs that will have a meaningful impact on refugee, immigrant and low-income populations in the Worcester. The DIO, the Office of Government and Community Relations and the Committee on Equal Opportunity and Diversity’s Service Committee were instrumental in selecting student Semester of Service Award recipients. The winning projects are as follows:
Dr. Sharina Person received the 2024 Chancellor's Award for Advancing Institutional Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion
Empowering wellness within Worcester’s African communities
Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing student Elizabeth OsaAgbontaen
Community partners: Anoke Krom Restaurant, Upper Room
Family International Church
Improving access to immunizations for non-English-speaking pediatric patients in Worcester
T.H. Chan School of Medicine students Ariba A. Memon, Danielle Heims-Waldron, Neel Patel and Christina Nguyen; and Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing student Joshan Niroula
Community partner: Epworth Free Medical Program
Marie’s Mission
T.H. Chan School of Medicine students Jose Garcia-Chope and Fiona Splaine
Community partner: Marie’s Mission Nonprofit
Growing the Worcester Islamic Center Social Services Clinic
T.H. Chan School of Medicine student Melanie Fu
Community partners: Worcester Family Health Center, Worcester
Refugee Assistance Project, Worcester Asylum Clinic
Asian American Heritage Month
On May 22, UMass Chan Medical School celebrated Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with an event centered around storytelling through food. Coordinated by the DIO, UMass Chan’s Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association and the Asian American and Pacific Islander Employee Resource Group of UMass Memorial Health, the celebration was a time for members of the AANHPI community to embrace nostalgia around food and family and articulate how it empowers them to advocate for themselves and others.
Juneteenth
On June 18, the DIO led the UMass Chan community in a celebration of Juneteenth. Members of UMass Chan were invited to participate in activities and receive information about the origins of Juneteenth and suggestions on ways to celebrate. Activities included T-shirt designs, paintings, button-making and freedom quilt making. The DIO gave away red velvet cupcakes, a staple of Juneteenth events and the Sherman Center Café served southern inspired dishes. Our office continues to support and take seriously the need to create spaces for Black joy and liberation.
Committed to staying connected to our local community, members of the DIO also participated in Worcester’s annual Black Heritage Juneteenth celebration.
Pride Month
Our commitment to ensuring everyone feels a sense of belonging is crucial to fostering an appropriate and positive culture and climate for faculty, students and staff alike. During Pride Month, UMass Chan Medical School raised the LGBTQ+ Progress Pride Flag to celebrate Pride Month and to reaffirm our commitment to creating an environment where all can thrive. At this year’s flag rising ceremony, members of the UMass Chan community gathered and Jorge Sanchez, program director for diversity and inclusion for ForHealth Consulting, spoke, reminding attendees of the paradox of diversity, equity and inclusion work, wherein it is work that must constantly be celebrated, but the reality remains that justice has not been fully realized.
UpNext!
Our UpNext! newsletter continues to be the primary resource for sharing information about diversityrelated events, programs and achievements at UMass Chan. We encourage members of the community to share their diversity-related events with us for increased visibility and attendance. Our newsletter is published weekly to more than 14,000 recipients, including internal and external partners.
Recruitment, Retention and Advancement
This year, our recruitment, retention and advancement efforts focused on providing mentorship, professional development and support to our diverse community, ensuring their success and growth. These initiatives help build connections, foster inclusivity and recognize the achievements of marginalized individuals, reinforcing a welcoming and supportive environment at UMass Chan.
Inclusive Excellence Orientation
The DIO hosted its third annual Inclusive Excellence Orientation on Aug. 17 and welcomed incoming students from the Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing, the Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and the T.H. Chan School of Medicine to campus. The Inclusive Excellence Orientation lets our students from marginalized backgrounds know that there are systems in place to ensure they succeed, that mentors are available to them, reminds them that we as an office are available to help them champion the ideas they seek to bring to life, and ensures they have a hand in shaping UMass Chan into the place it can to be. The day-long event included workshops about managing mental health, combating imposter syndrome, navigating UMass Chan as an LGBTQ+ individual, and life in Worcester as a person of color. Matriculating Students were encouraged to build a village, find mentors and explore the city of Worcester to discover what it has to offer. The day’s festivities ended with a mixer at the Worcester Beer Garden.
Second Look Day
On April 3, the DIO hosted its second annual Second Look Inclusive Connections and Belonging event for prospective students who are underrepresented in medicine. Part of a larger event to help students decide if UMass Chan is the appropriate fit for them, the half-day program was an opportunity for students to learn more about diversity and inclusion at UMass Chan, how they will be supported and how they can be engaged.
The session kicked off with a meet-and-greet mixer at which accepted students began making connections with their peers and other members of the UMass Chan community. They were welcomed by Marlina Duncan, EdD, vice chancellor for diversity and inclusion, and offered greetings and words of encouragement from Terence R. Flotte, MD, the Celia and Isaac Haidak Professor, executive deputy chancellor, provost and dean of the T.H. Chan School of Medicine. A tour of Worcester, led by the Office of Government and Community Relations, followed. The program concluded over dinner at which prospective students shared their hopes and fears related to medical school matriculation and learned about campus-wide initiatives led by the DIO.
Deborah Harmon Hines, PhD, Commencement Celebration
The second annual Deborah Harmon Hines, PhD, Commencement Celebration took place on May 31. Organized by the UMass Chan chapter of White Coats for Black Lives and the DIO, the event honored graduating UMass Chan Medical School students from marginalized backgrounds from the three schools by presenting them with Kente and multicultural stoles to wear at the 51st Commencement ceremony on June 2. Three graduating students offered words of reflection about their time at UMass Chan.
Dr. Hines, retired vice provost for school services and professor of radiology and nursing, for whom the ceremony is named, presented the Deborah Harmon Hines, PhD, Award to four current students who also exemplify leadership with the passion and fervor she did: nursing student Elizabeth OsaAgbontaen, medical student Zakiya Carter, MD/PhD student Bethany Berry and medical student Obinnaya Okereke.
Diversity for Health Care, Innovation and Medicine’s Summer Learning Opportunity
The third cohort of the Diversity for Healthcare, Innovation and Medicine (HIM) initiative, which aims to increase representation of Black men and other underrepresented groups in health care professions and biomedical sciences, convened this year. In addition to partnerships with Morehouse School of Medicine and the City University of New York School of Medicine, the program has expanded to include partnerships with Drexel University School of Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine and The State University of New York, Downstate. Twelve rising second year medical students were matched with the departments of dermatology, medicine, radiology, obstetrics & gynecology, orthopedics and pediatrics. The 4-week intensive program included clinical rotations, professional development days to prepare students for residency, and the creation and presentation of a Worcester community action plan to address health disparities. The program has been so transformative, three students have returned to UMass Chan for further clinical and research opportunities and others continue to collaborate with the departments they’ve interned with to present their research at national conferences.
Emerging Professionals Summer Internship Program
On June 3, the Emerging Professionals Summer Internship Program (EPSIP) interns began their tenweek internships. Designed to give students historically underrepresented in medicine an opportunity to explore administrative careers, the internship has thrived as an annual offering at UMass Chan. Departments that have participated in the program since its inception report that it is something they look forward to every year.
Participating departments and offices included: Admissions, Advancement, Communications, Community and Government Relations, Family Medicine & Community Health, Information Technology, Office of Well-Being, Office of Sustainability, and ForHealth Consulting’s Digital Transformation Solutions, Training and Workforce Development, and Work Without Limits program.
In addition to their 10-week internship experience with one of the participating departments, students are also matched with a mentor based on similar educational and career interests and participate in weekly professional development sessions. The interns completed their internships by creating portfolios of their work and presenting them to a UMass Chan audience filled with their mentors, department colleagues and the UMass Chan Medical School community at large.
Partnership with the Hassanamisco Nipmuc Band
Our partnership with our local tribe, Hassanamisco Nipmuc Band continues. The three-part conference on indigenous health equity began Sept. 2023, as part of the fall lineup of our Centering the Margins series, which amplifies the voices and stories of diverse communities. The topic, “The History of Racism in Health Care and its Impact on Indigenous Health,” was led by three guest panelists: Cheryll Holley, chief of the Hassanamisco Nipmuc; Hassanamisco Nipmuc Nicole Kazarian, MEd, RN, supervisor for the nursing department at Worcester Public Schools; and Lundy Braun, PhD, professor of medical science and Africana studies at Brown University. Our office continues to explore ways to stay connected to the work of the Hassanamisco Nipmuc as an ongoing commitment to build relationships and seek genuine partnership with them and address the health issues that persist among the Native American population.
Accountability and Quality Improvement
This year, UMass Chan advanced accountability and quality improvement by enhancing DEI strategies, gathering comprehensive feedback from our community, and using insights to guide departmental action plans. These efforts supported progress towards institutional goals and fostered a more inclusive and responsive environment.
Diversity Summit
Created as a forum to discuss concrete actions necessary to achieve institutional goals, the sixth session of the Diversity Summit was a two-day event on Oct. 11 and 12, 2023. Discussions illuminated the progress made toward meeting the institution’s strategic goal to foster diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging across campus. The summit comprised of a poster session that highlighted the initiatives various departments undertook to ensure the incorporation of diversity, equity and inclusion strategies into their work; plenary sessions that offered insights and reported on progress toward institutional goals; a panel discussion from departmental leaders highlighting experiences and highlights from our diversity and equity action plans (DEAP) pilot program; and breakout sessions where actionoriented discussions and strategies on diversity and equity action plans, restorative justice, belonging and the Diversity Engagement Survey were developed. Overall, the Diversity Summitt gave the UMass Chan community insight into the breadth and depth of the diversity work driven by individuals and groups across campus and positively transformed the collective morale of the institution.
Diversity Engagement Survey
Following a robust marketing campaign to ensure that the response rate accurately represented UMass Chan’s population, the Diversity Engagement Survey (DES) was a success as it resulted in a 50 percent participation rate with the highest ever participation rates from students, residents, postdocs, faculty and facilities management employees. The survey, which measured engagement and inclusion through clusters such as vision and purpose, and camaraderie and appreciation, showed overall favorable ratings of diversity and inclusion efforts at UMass Chan, a rating that has been increasing steadily since 2014. The survey also showed that UMass Chan respondents reported a higher overall favorable rating than benchmark respondents on 21 of the 22 DES questions and it let us know that all races and ethnicity groups experienced increases in their overall favorable ratings from 2020.
Unlike the DES surveys of the past, the 2023 survey gave respondents an opportunity to identify what departments they were from. This allowed the DIO to glean insights into departmental dynamics and inform their Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DIEB) initiatives as needed. The survey serves as a baseline for measuring change given the implementation of the DEAPs. The results of the Diversity and Engagement survey are available by request and the DIO is available to provide insights on the results.
Departmental Diversity and Equity Action Plans
Since the introduction of the DEI pillar to UMass Chan’s IMPACT 2025 Strategic Plan, the Diversity and Equity Action plans (DEAPs) have been a way to provide a roadmap and guidance and model what implementation across the entire campus will look like. The DIO meets regularly with the departments who have submitted their DEAPs through a community of practice.
Departments participating in the DEAP program were given the results of the DES with an in-depth report on how their department fared. The hope is that departments use that data as a baseline to measure climate and to develop new goals for their DEAPs. Six new departments—the Department of Emergency Medicine, the Department of Dermatology, the Department of Microbiology, Interprofessional Center for Experiential Learning and Simulation (iCELS), the Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and the Office of Graduate Medical Education—have volunteered to be part of our next cohort and are on board to begin developing their own DEAPs.
Departments Particpating in DEAPs
Biochemistry and Molecular
Biotehnology
Family Medicine and Community
Health
Department of Medicine
Pediatrics
Population Health and Health
Sciences
Psychiatry
Radiology
Anesthesiology
Dermatology *
Microbiology and Physiological System*
Emergency Medicine*
Communications
Government and Community
Relations
Library
iCELS*
Graduate School of Nursing*
Graduate School of Biomedical
Sciences*
ForHealth Consulting
*new departments in 2024
Committee for Equal Opportunity and Diversity
The Committee on Equal Opportunity and Diversity at UMass Chan Medical School was formed to ensure that everyone in the UMass Chan community feels seen and heard and has access to opportunities that make them feel involved in the work to create a more diverse, equitable, inclusive and just organization. Since its restructuring, committees have been hard at work streamlining processes and getting the campus community involved in advocacy, education and service under the guidance of committee co-chairs.
Advocacy
Co-chaired by Jorge Sanchez, program director of diversity and inclusion at ForHealth Consulting and Valerie Wedge, director of the Office of Well-Being, the advocacy subcommittee sought to influence policy on behalf of others. Advocacy promotes the rights of those whose voices are not always heard and have something to contribute that positively enhances the way we work and live in community together. In the 202324 academic year, the advocacy subcommittee worked on clarifying responsibilities around reporting on issues related to equity. The committee also launched UMass Chan Community Arts Exhibit Pilot Advancing Belonging Together by soliciting art from members of the UMass Chan community that promotes a welcoming community and environment in celebration of our rich multicultural community. They screened and vetted proposed art by diverse community members and will be presenting an exhibit in Lamar Soutter Library from September through December 2024.
Education
The education subcommittee, co-led by Tiffany Cook, MA, DIO director of diversity, equity and inclusion integration and education; Lauren Shumate, MD/PhD student, and Sarah Lee, MD/PhD student, is dedicated to embedding diversity, equity and inclusion principles into the educational framework of UMass Chan. This year, the subcommittee focused on enhancing the educational environment through a DEI lens. The committee’s primary project is focused on comprehensively mapping critical junctures for learners across the three schools. This initiative aims to identify and outline key times of vulnerability and the corresponding resources or support available to learners. By doing so, the subcommittee seeks to pinpoint gaps in support and unique challenges faced by underrepresented learners, with the goal of developing targeted programs and securing necessary resources to address these needs.
Service
Co-chaired by Lynn Hernandez, PhD, assistant vice chancellor for diversity and inclusion, and Che Anderson, assistant vice chancellor for city and community relations, the service subcommittee provides opportunities for UMass Chan to engage with our surrounding community and to collaborate with community partners in meaningful and mutually beneficial ways.The service subcommittee goals for 2023-2024 included the development of a UMass Chan Day of Service; the development of a youth program focused on increasing representation of underrepresented in medicine students in medicine, biomedical research and health care; and the continued support of service engaged with the Worcester community. Events and activities the service subcommittee participated in this past year include the organization of a donation drive in support of Black Maternal Health Week’s Community Baby Shower, the review of the Martin Luther King Jr. Semester of Service Student Award proposals and winner selection, and participation in the Black Heritage Juneteenth Festival.
Collaborations and Partnerships
Recognizing the importance of collective efforts, the DIO partnered with academic departments and administrative units across the institution to advance its strategic goals related to recruitment and retention, education and engagement, and culture and climate. Through workshops and training opportunities, open dialogues, and programming focused on recruitment, retention, inclusive excellence, the DIO promoted a shared understanding of DEI principles and identified areas where joint initiatives could be developed. These partnerships lead to more diverse and inclusive hiring practices, the creation of inclusive curriculum and educational programs, models for addressing difficult dialogue and conflict, and the creation of spaces where community members could reaffirm their DEI values. Through these strategic partnerships, the DIO has been able to amplify their impact, creating a more equitable and welcoming community for everyone.
PARTNERSHIPS IN SUPPORT OF OUR STRATEGIC GOALS
CULTURE AND CLIMATE
The DIO collaborated with multiple departments and offices, including Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, Microbiology, the Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and iCAP Program of the Office of Health Equity, as well as ForHealth Consulting and the Student Counseling Center to support restorative justice initiatives and practices with the goal of fostering a more inclusive culture among students, faculty and staff.
The DIO worked closely with Human Resources to support the completion of the Inclusive Identity Project, a UMass President’s Office system-wide initiative to support processes allowing employees and students to securely enter their pronoun(s), chosen name, gender identity and sexual orientation in electronic systems and records.
CURRICULUM AND SCHOLARSHIP
The DIO supported efforts to set the anti-racism in medicine course in motion. In particular, the DIO partnered with Sarah Forrester, PhD, assistant professor of population & quantitative health sciences, who led the pilot course to develop a facilitation guide and facilitator training. This four-day course is now required learning for T.H. Chan School of Medicine students as part of an institutional goal to expand health equity, diversity and inclusion topics in the curriculum and to meet requests from students for the material.
EDUCATION AND ENGAGEMENT
Participated in the Chief Resident Retreat, where they presented restorative justice and discrimination and reporting procedures. Collaborated with the Office of Sustainability to present the talk “Why Environmental Justice is Public Health Issue” where the intersections of environmental factors and public health disparities and actionable strategies to address challenges were discussed.
Partnered with several UMass Chan groups—ForHealth Consulting’s Cultural Diversity Committee, the LGBTA Affinity Group, and UMass Memorial Health—to discuss the importance of honoring identity and respectfully using pronouns. Participants were educated through a blogpost by Jorge Sanchez on why pronouns mattered and were given various tips on what an inclusive approach to language involves.
Partnered with UMass Memorial Health to sponsor the inaugural Affirming Health Care for Our Trans and Gender-Diverse Communities Summit. This event provided an opportunity for health care professionals and students to hear directly from trans and gender-diverse individuals about their health care needs and sought to address the landscape of disinformation and misinformation in gender affirming care.
Sponsored the newly formed African Student Association Group’s inaugural African Diaspora Night. The event was a way to highlight the unique African cultures represented at UMass Chan and build a network of support for students of African descent.
Partnered with the Lamar Soutter Library to create tailored training on inclusive hiring and unconscious bias.
Worked with the Department of Molecular, Cell & Cancer Biology to create an inclusive Lab Manual Presentation.
Partnered with the LGBT Asylum Task Force to host a screening of the documentary film “Cured” that tells the story of the fight to declassify being LGBTQ as a mental illness.
Continues to work with the Admissions Office on Second Look Day, offering training on unconscious bias, and other effective recruitment strategies.
RECRUITMENT, RETENTION AND ADVANCEMENT
Partnered with the Office of Community and Government Relations for the Dynamic Futures Youth Career Pathways in Behavioral Health program where we participated in the Pathway to Success Panel, conducted a restorative justice overview and facilitated a community building circle.
Supported the qualitative research work of Celestine Warren, MD, resident in orthopedics & physical rehabilitation, examining perceptions of engagement and belonging and to assess perceptions on what makes an inclusive environment.
Looking Ahead...
As we conclude this year's report, we reflect on the progress we've made and the challenges that lie ahead. At UMass Chan Medical School, our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion is not just a goal—it is a fundamental aspect of who we are and what we strive to be. As we reflect on our work for the 2023-2024 academic year, we are cognizant of these words by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice,” which remind us that although change takes time, when we work collectively, it can be seen all around us. We have shown that our work cannot succeed unless our culture and climate are constantly evaluated and improved upon, we remain vigilant and responsive to national and societal conversations on the role of DEI in science, medicine and health care, we continue to create opportunities to engage in critical dialogue and expand our knowledge on topics related to health equity and social justice, and we continue to rigorously monitor and assess the impact of our initiatives to ensure meaningful and sustained progress.
We are proud of the strides we have made together, and we recognize that our work is ongoing. Each initiative, conversation and collaboration brings us closer to a future where every member of our community feels welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to thrive. In the year to come, we want our local community to be the catalyst for and at the heart of our work. We would like to strengthen our relationship with the local community as a strategic and long-term goal for attracting young people to the medical, biomedical science and health care fields, and ultimately, recruitment to UMass Chan. To ensure that this goal is achieved, we must extol the values of service, listening, trust building and hospitality. We look forward to strengthening our relationships with internal and external stakeholders that will aid us in doing our work with support and transparency.
National and global crises and policies continue to have direct and indirect implications for our community, and we remain fully committed to addressing these challenges head-on. As we look to the future, we are inspired by the hope and determination that comes from the collective efforts of our students, faculty, staff and partners, who are committed to driving meaningful change in support of our institution’s mission and values. To support this work, we aim to develop and publish best practice models that will not only guide our responses to emerging issues but also serve as valuable resources for others embarking on the diversity, equity and inclusion journey with intentionality and purpose. We are extremely proud of the work that we, as a collective at UMass Chan, have done. Thank you to our community’s dedication and support in advancing the mission of diversity and inclusion at UMass Chan. Together, we will keep pushing the boundaries of what is possible, ensuring that our medical school remains a beacon of equity, excellence and innovation for all. At UMass Chan, we face our future with confidence and hope, because we know through all our efforts, we are advancing together.
Meet the Team
Meet the dedicated team driving our diversity and inclusion efforts. Each member brings unique expertise and passion to advancing our mission, and their collective work ensures a supportive and inclusive environment for all.
MARLINA DUNCAN, EdD Vice Chancellor of Diversity and Inclusion
JANJAY INNIS, MDiv Communications Conent Specialist
HERNANDEZ, PhD Assistant Vice Chancellor of Diversity and Inclusion
JEANNA LEE, PhD Assistant Director of Equity, Inclusion, and Campus Climate
JORGE SANCHEZ, MEd Program Director of Diversity and Inclusion at ForHealth Consulting
PRINTY Data Analyst
MFA, EdD Diversity Manager
LYNN
CANDICE BROWN Project Manager
HOLLY BROWN Administrative Manager
FERNANDA GAMA Project Coordinator
ANGELA
JULES TROBAUGH,
