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
Black woman and white woman seated in front of computer smiling
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
Female doctor with brown skin and dark hair wearing white coat with block M and surgical goggles in lab
Workforce Diversity

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

Learn about Workforce Diversity programs
Black man wearing mask with two women, one wearing yellow hijab and mask
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 holding baby in hands pink shirt
Health Lab
Study shows racial inequities in newborn drug testing
In a new study, newborn drug testing inequities remained similar after recreational legalization of cannabis, overall test positivity rates for THC increased
Women holding their stomachs
Health Lab
Uncovering drivers of racial disparities in uterine fibroids and endometriosis
Researchers examine health disparities in two of the most prevalent diseases in reproductive-aged women through a social, structural and political lens
Woman holding baby on farm woman holding baby in city
Health Lab
Pregnant people in rural communities less likely to have adequate health insurance
Rural residents have lower rates of continuous health insurance before, during and after pregnancy compared to those in urban cities
pregnant stomach with yellow dots and blue undertone lab note
Health Lab
Few pregnant people who died of overdose, suicide in Michigan received proper treatment before death
A review of maternal deaths suggests most individuals had documented behavioral health conditions but only one-third received appropriate pharmacologic treatment before death
Graphic of a surgery table with Lab Note in the upper left corner.
Health Lab
Black patients more likely to get emergency colorectal cancer surgery
Emergency surgery was linked to less thorough pre-surgical assessments and worse outcomes after surgery.
women smiling holding award conference
Health Lab
A scientist’s fight against viral misinformation
University of Michigan's professor A. Oveta Fuller spent her career battling against the myths surrounding HIV and COVID. Two of her mentees reflect on her legacy.