Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Health Equity
Health Equity is a constant practice at the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine. From curriculum to the structure of our institution, Healthy Equity is at the center of our motivations to serve communities from across the state of Washington.
Definitions of Diversity & Inclusion
- Diversity: A range of human differences, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, social class, physical ability or attributes, religious or ethical values system, national origin, and political beliefs.
- Inclusion: The involvement and empowerment of all, where the inherent worth and dignity of people are recognized. An inclusive culture promotes and sustains a sense of belonging; it values and practices respect for talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of living of its members.
Policy
The faculty-led Equity Committee, guided by the WSU Strategic Plan, develops and implements the college’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Access Policy (PDF). The policy outlines strategies to achieve a diverse, inclusive environment through many channels:
Equity Committee
Mission of the Equity Committee
Equity Committee
CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE DIFFERENCES ARE VALUED, AND WHERE EVERYONE HAS A CHANCE TO SUCCEED
Faculty, administrators, and students who serve on the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine Equity Committee seek to foster an intercampus community that is respectful, diverse and inclusive.
MISSION OF THE EQUITY COMMITTEE
- Identify underrepresented populations in medicine
- Advise the dean regarding events, policies or initiatives that promote the standards set forth in the College’s Diversity Policy
- Evaluate the college’s progress in accomplishing those standards
PROMOTING DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION WITHIN THE COLLEGE
The Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine works to develop policies, procedures and programs to promote diversity and inclusion through:
- Education
- Research
- Clinical care
- Service/community partnerships
The Equity Committee forges strategies to ensure that the college promotes diversity and inclusion. It uses a continuous quality leadership process to measure and evaluate the college’s compliance and excellence in the following areas:
- Recruitment and hiring activities
- Admission process
- Curriculum
- Student support
- Awareness and retention activities
PROMOTING DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION IN THE FIELD OF MEDICINE
The college’s efforts to promote diversity and inclusion also include:
- Strengthening the pathway to becoming a physician in Washington
- Encouraging graduates of the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine to practice in all communities in the state
Equity Committee Members
CONTACT US
If you have recommendations on how the Equity Committee can better serve the College of Medicine and the University community, please email Committee Chair Naomi Chaytor.
Contact us
Inclusion Matrix Workgroup
Inclusion Matrix Workgroup
In 2017, the Inclusion Matrix Workgroup (IMW) was formed to facilitate the matrix-based approach to inclusion at the College. The group is strategically comprised of varied individuals representing units across the College with the mission and vision as a central focus.
In fall of 2019, the IMW became a formal Subcommittee of the Equity Committee to ensure alignment with the Diversity & Inclusion Policy and efforts. The IMW maintained its original purpose in addition to taking on a primary goal of developing, implementing, and engaging in continuous quality improvement of a comprehensive Strategic Diversity Action Plan. This document the comprehensive Strategic Diversity Action Plan. The Plan was adopted by the College in early 2021.
Health Equity in the Curriculum
Health Equity in the Curriculum
As a college we understand that health is not only found in the exam room but depends on the resources and opportunities we have in life. And we recognize that it is up to all of us to assure the conditions for people to live longer and better.
Health equity is threaded through the pre-clinical and clinical curriculum to help students define and describe health equity concepts, evaluate their impact on health, apply best practices in patient care and develop clinical, community level and policy interventions to address health inequities.
The curriculum is introduced through an orientation/early first year workshop on health equity and oppression.
Concepts are delivered in large group interactive lectures, small groups, Case-Based Learning (CBL) cases, and clinical skills sessions. Application and integration into medical practice are addressed in Longitudinal Integrated Clerkships (LIC) clinical didactics and required and elective clinical/non-clinical rotations. Additionally, the basic sciences and CBL cases are evaluated to incorporate representation, diversity, social determinants of health and equity and to minimize harmful biases in medical education and reinforce health equity concepts.