Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Diversity Drives Discovery

Diversity of people, thoughts, approaches, and ideals fuel our progress and are a crucial component in our mission to make groundbreaking discoveries that drive life-changing medicine.

Two young Black women wearning masks and gloves cutting into lab specimen
Our Mission
To Honor
The well-being, individuality and dignity of all who work, learn, and heal at Michigan Medicine.
To Champion
Diversity and inclusion for our patients, our community and society.
To Diversify
The next generation of physicians, nurses, health professionals, and scientists.
Office for Health Equity and Inclusion

The Office for Health Equity and Inclusion (OHEI) develops mechanisms for inclusion, diversity, and cultural sensitivity among community members and faculty, staff and learners at Michigan Medicine.

Learn about OHEI
Transforming Health Equity
You Belong Here

We are committed to cultivating an inclusive health environment where all members of the Michigan Medicine community are empowered, included and known. If you are interested in viewing DEI-related presentations and events, click on the link to the right:

Michigan Medicine DEI YouTube playlist
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Professional Development Training

The Office for Health Equity and Inclusion provides DEI-related training for Michigan Medicine faculty and staff and community members.

Learn more about Professional Development Training
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Workforce Diversity

The Office for Health Equity and Inclusion provides professional development and networking opportunities for members of the Michigan Medicine community, including faculty, staff, house officers, and fellows.

Learn about Workforce Diversity programs
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Students and Pathways

Michigan Medicine’s pathways programs support students by providing diverse opportunities at every level of education. The Office for Health Equity and Inclusion offers programming for students at each step along the health science and medical career pathway: middle school, high school, undergraduate education, and medical school and graduate education.

Go to Students and Pathways page
Jonathon from Uganda wearing blue M jacket, being given sticker by brown-skinned woman in maize jacket.
Patient and Community Support

We provide support, and seek to improve the health and well-being, of our patients and community members.

Find out about Patient and Community Support

We need to engage with each other across cultures, to remain diligent in creating a health system where all people can thrive, to exhibit strength and sustainability in our DEI and anti-racism efforts, and remain determined in cultivating a safe and inclusive environment for all who work, learn, and heal at our institution.

Associate Vice President and Associate Dean for Health Equity and Inclusion
David Brown seated with hands folded
Faculty Feature

Dr. Gifty Kwakye, MD, MPH, OHEI Faculty Director, Medical School Programs; Associate Professor of Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School.

Recognition
Excellence in Diversity

For the fourth year in a row, the U-M Medical School received INSIGHT into Diversity’s Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award, a national honor recognizing U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion.

DEI News and Stories sleeping kids purple teal orange pink
Health Lab
Sleep apnea disparities in kids: Obesity may override impact of race, socioeconomics
As researchers explored potential reasons behind racial disparities in treatment outcomes for children with severe sleep apnea, they were expecting to find the answer in socioeconomic factors. But they were surprised to learn that when one risk factor – obesity – was taken out of the equation, race was no longer associated with worse post-surgery outcomes for obstructive sleep apnea.
lungs
Health Lab
Impacts of the removal of race-correction in lung pulmonary function tests on lung surgery
A recent study led by Sidra Bonner, M.D., M.P.H, M.S. a surgery resident at the University of Michigan Health, has now provided new information about the clinical impact of race-correction in pulmonary function tests for African American patients with lung cancer undergoing surgical evaluation.
Blurry Operating Room
Health Lab
High levels of satisfaction, and low levels of regret, after gender affirming mastectomy
Recent research from the University of Michigan finds that in addition to changing lives, most patients are highly satisfied with their decision to undergo surgery long-term.
map with different colors
Health Lab
Mapping the changing landscape of gender-affirming care for teens
Gender-affirming care for transgender teens is restricted or may be soon in 20 states; this has increased travel time to available clinics
person pregnant with clock spinning over them in yellow purple background person in red pants pink shortsleeve shirt
Health Lab
Labor induction doesn’t always reduce caesarean birth risk or improve outcomes for term pregnancies
A new study suggests that inducing labor at 39 weeks for low-risk pregnancies may not reduce the risk of C-sections or improve outcomes.
woman glasses smiling vr headseat
Health Lab
How a clinical simulation is helping to diversify careers in medicine
A specialized Michigan Medicine event for historically marginalized and underrepresented medical students comes with ‘astounding’ results, a published academic paper finds.