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.
DEI 2.0 logo with text: DEI 2.0 Moving Forward Together
Michigan Medicine DEI 2.0 Strategic Plan

Presenting the Michigan Medicine DEI 2.0 Strategic Plan, our blueprint for a future where every member of our community not only feels seen and heard but thrives in an environment rich in diversity, and bound by equity and inclusion.

View or download the PDF

We take bold steps forward, embodying a commitment that transcends the realms of academia and healthcare, fostering a space where diversity is celebrated, equity is realized, and inclusion is felt palpably across all spheres of Michigan Medicine. Our strategy optimizes existing successful initiatives, aligning them under the principle of “Alignment over Addition,” ensuring potent, sustainable impact without diluting focus or resources. Embark on this insightful journey with us through the full DEI 2.0 Strategic Plan and join us in sculpting a future where every voice is heard, every identity is celebrated, and every individual belongs.

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 opportunities 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 See all DEI News & Stories computer
Health Lab
Same patient. Different visit. Different race and ethnicity?
Data on the race and ethnicity of patients underpins efforts to reduce health care disparities, but a study shows inconsistent recording in emergency departments
Provider takes a pulse oximetry reading from a patient's finger
Health Lab
Inaccurate pulse oximeter readings could limit transplants, heart pumps for Black patients with heart failure
Racially biased readings of oxygen levels in the blood using pulse oximeters may further limit opportunities for Black patients with heart failure to receive potentially lifesaving treatments, such as heart pumps and transplants
Woman in pink shirt lifts kettleball in an outdoor exercise class
Health Lab
How to make cancer prevention more equitable
Expert explains six behavioral risk factors for cancer and why current programs don’t always meet the needs of people from racially and ethnically minoritized groups and other vulnerable populations.
illustration of man sleeping in bed with CPAP machine on
Health Lab
Free sleep clinic addresses disparities in treatment of sleep disorders
New sleep medicine service aims to combat sleep disorders and help reduce poor health outcomes for people without health insurance.
Medical gloved hand holding test tube sample for HIV testing.
Health Lab
Inequities in HIV testing, diagnosis and care for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities
People with disabilities are often at higher risk for exposure to HIV due to barriers in engaging healthcare and other systemic factors and are thus considered a priority for prevention and testing efforts. However, these efforts don’t always extend to people with intellectual disabilities due to the perception that people with intellectual disabilities are mostly asexual.
Diverse health care patients lined up together
Health Lab
Striving for more equitable health care
The Healthcare Equity Consult Service addresses the concern of bias and discriminations in health care access, delivery, and experience for University of Michigan-Health.