The Carver College of Medicine (CCOM) strives to achieve excellence through the advancement of diversity and inclusion. The College of Medicine has a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) dating back to 1870 when it opened its doors and admitted both men and women to the first class. The medical school granted a medical degree to its first African American graduate in 1903 and PhD to the first African American woman in 1980.
In 2008, the CCOM took steps to strengthen its efforts to identify, recruit, and retain individuals from groups traditionally underrepresented in medicine and biomedical fields by establishing the Office of Cultural Affairs and Diversity Initiatives. The office is the beneficiary of an endowment that supports programming, recruitment activities, student organizations, and professional development of faculty, postdocs, residents/fellows and students. In 2019, the office changed its name to the Carver College of Medicine Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (CCOM DEI), to better align with the goals of the institution.
The College continues our DEI tradition with the philosophy that inclusive excellence and diversity are critical to the College’s research, education and clinical care goals.
A diverse student body, faculty, staff and patient population provide a richer education for all students, better clinical care for patients and a well-rounded research enterprise.
Examples of Office-sponsored programs and events include:
- Diversity trainings and professional development programs
- Networking events for faculty, students,and trainees (PostDocs and residents/fellows)
- Welcome programs for new students
- Human Rights Week Events
- Culturally Responsive Health Care in Iowa conference