We are about finding common ground

Leslie Garcia
Leslie Garcia, M.P.A., Ed.D., Associate Dean, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, OHSU School of Medicine

The OHSU School of Medicine is deeply committed to increasing and supporting diversity among our faculty, staff, and learners. We consider a wide range of life experiences as part of diversity, including rural heritage, economic background, sexual orientation, culture and belief systems.

The School of Medicine Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Strategic Action Plan 2021 - 2025 charts our contributions to institutional goals in the areas that we can significantly impact, including retention and recruitment of individuals under-represented in medicine and biomedical science. The strategic action plan is the result of sustained urgency and focus by school leaders and the SoM Diversity Affairs Committee, which includes faculty, students and trainees. 

The SOM is committed to diversity and our practices, programs and policies are in alignment with AAMC, LCME, ACGME and OHSU program accreditation standards.

Students

Student religious accommodation requests are handled by the Office of Student Affairs. Student disability and pregancy accommodation requests are addressed by the Office for Student Access.

Employees

OHSU Human Resources' Employee Leaves and Accommodations team handles disability, pregnancy and religious accommodations.

Telehealth significantly boosts treatment success for hepatitis C in rural patients

OHSU-led study in rural Oregon finds 66% of hard-to-reach patients cleared the virus with peer-assisted telehealth. Read more.

Telehealth

Envisioning OHSU as a health-literate organization

Ideas and conversations about improving information equity flowed during OHSU's first health Health Literacy Symposium, held on the Marquam Hill Campus.

Health Literacy Simposium 2024

Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women's Health

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Office of Research on Women’s Health (ORWH) held the 2024 Annual Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women’s Health (BIRCWH) meeting on October 1, 2024, in Bethesda, Maryland. This event provided a venue for networking and scientific exchange, including a poster session where all BIRCWH abstracts were published in the Journal of Women's Health. Thank you to the leaders, mentors and scholars who make the BIRCWH a nurturing environment for scientific inquiry.

“Placental Programming of Infant Behavioral Health: Placental Cytokine Levels are Associated with Infant Negative Affect at 6 Months." (2:13:00)

BIRCWH 2024

December Health Observances

  • Seasonal Affective Disorder Awareness Month
  • National Impaired Driving Prevention Month
  • Dec. 1 | World AIDS Day
  • Dec. 2-6 | National Influenza Vaccination Week
  • Dec. 2-8 | National Handwashing Awareness Week

Download the School of Medicine "Belong, Include, Empower" December issue.

Respectful and identity-affirming language puts our humanity at the center

Inclusive language allows everyone to feel recognized valued, invited and motivated to contribute at their highest level. The OHSU Inclusive Language Guide provides guidance.

Cover photo

SoM Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Plan (2024 update)

The School of Medicine plan includes three goals with overarching themes that capture the essence of the climate we want to create: Belong, Include, Empower.

SoM DEI Strategic Plan 2024

School of Medicine M.D. Program: Outdated Medical Terminology Guide

A guide for medical students, educators and providers. Authored by Med24 students Rohi Gheewala, José Manuel Carrillo-Castro and Sean Bowden. Download it here.

Medical terminology

Submit Content

The School of Medicine's  "Belong, Include, Empower” newsletter is sent monthly to members of the OHSU's School of Medicine. This space is dedicated to the valuable role of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Anti-racism practices in promoting trust, engagement and well-being. Are you looking to share an idea, resource, update or event? Submit your content ideas to somdiversity@ohsu.edu

Criteria

  • Is this content related to equity, diversity, inclusion and anti-racism?
  • Is this content directly applicable to School of Medicine students, staff, and faculty at OHSU?
  • Is it timely enough to have an impact on learners, staff, faculty and volunteers?
  • Does it align with OHSU’s SoM values and aspirations around equity & inclusion?
  • Does it support community building and knowledge exchange?
  • Days of significance, observations, and building cultural enrichment.
  • Health Equity and inclusion reports, funding opportunities and diversity best practices?
  • Achievements aligned with the SoM DEI Plan

Submission Requirements

  • Content must be submitted two weeks prior to the publishing deadline. The newsletter is published the 1st of each month.
  • Please include a headline, a brief summary (40-50 words) and an image that reflects the nature of the event.
  • Photos must be accompanied by signed release forms.