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Brian Gittens, vice chancellor of the Division for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, accepted a Diamond Award in recognition of UAMS' diversity initiatives.
Image by Bryan Clifton
Brian Gittens, Ed.D., MPA, Receives Diamond Award in Recognition of UAMS’ Diversity Efforts
| LITTLE ROCK — Brian Gittens, Ed.D., MPA, vice chancellor of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Division for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DDEI), was honored by the Diamond Awards program in recognition of UAMS’ efforts to promote inclusivity and health equity.
At a January gala in Atlanta, Gittens accepted the Diamond Award for Excellence in Education Leadership, Diversity, Equality, Inclusion, Humanitarian, Philanthropic and Community Engagement. The award acknowledged UAMS’ work to expand opportunities for underrepresented groups both on campus and throughout the state.
DDEI’s outreach programs include Pathways Academy and Health Career University, which provide underserved students from kindergarten through undergraduate studies with exposure to the possibilities of science, technology, engineering, mathematics and health careers. On campus, DDEI subcommittees work to advance initiatives to address important issues such as maternal mortality, disability awareness and workforce diversity.
“The Diamond Award reflects a team effort throughout the UAMS community to diversify our health care workforce and strive for health equity in every region of our state,” Gittens said. “The progress we’re making wouldn’t be possible without the support of our campus leadership, faculty, staff and students.”
UAMS’ efforts to promote diversity and reduce health disparities have received national recognition. In 2022, UAMS ranked fourth among educational organizations nationally on Forbes’ annual list of Best Employers for Diversity. UAMS was the highest-ranked Arkansas company on the list.
Additionally, UAMS was named as a 2022 Top Performer in the Human Rights Campaign’s Healthcare Equality Index. The advocacy group’s survey evaluates health care facilities and measures their support for the needs of LGBTQ+ patients and employees.
The Diamond Awards program recognizes individuals in the entertainment, corporate and creative industries for their accomplishments and contributions to society. It was created by the Not Alone Foundation, an Atlanta-based nonprofit organization dedicated to providing financial assistance and medical resources for patients with chronic kidney disease or end-stage renal disease.
UAMS is the state’s only health sciences university, with colleges of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Health Professions and Public Health; a graduate school; a hospital; a main campus in Little Rock; a Northwest Arkansas regional campus in Fayetteville; a statewide network of regional campuses; and eight institutes: the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, Jackson T. Stephens Spine & Neurosciences Institute, Harvey & Bernice Jones Eye Institute, Psychiatric Research Institute, Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging, Translational Research Institute, Institute for Digital Health & Innovation and the Institute for Community Health Innovation. UAMS includes UAMS Health, a statewide health system that encompasses all of UAMS’ clinical enterprise. UAMS is the only adult Level 1 trauma center in the state. UAMS has 3,275 students, 890 medical residents and fellows, and five dental residents. It is the state’s largest public employer with more than 12,000 employees, including 1,200 physicians who provide care to patients at UAMS, its regional campuses, Arkansas Children’s, the VA Medical Center and Baptist Health. Visit www.uams.edu or uamshealth.com. Find us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube or Instagram.###