Diversity, Equity and Inclusion


September 9, 2020

State of Diversity Strong at UAMS

Spencer Watson

Brian Gittens, Ed.D., vice chancellor for diversity, equity and inclusion, delivers his State of Diversity and Inclusion address, with the Dr. Edith Irby Jones Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Awards in the foreground.

The state of diversity at UAMS is strong, said Brian Gittens, Ed.D., in his second annual State of Diversity and Inclusion address, which kicked off September’s Diversity and Inclusion Month across all UAMS campuses on Wednesday. The online address also featured the Dr. Edith Irby Jones Diversity and Inclusion Awards and awards for outstanding volunteers…


July 27, 2020

UAMS-HBCUs Partner to Increase Minorities in Health Care, Address Health Disparities, Physician Shortages

ChaseYavondaC

Combined photo of people in story

UAPB alumna Amanda Winston just took the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) this summer, taking a definitive step toward a career goal she has had in mind since she was a kid in Pine Bluff: becoming a doctor. “As far back as I can remember, I’ve had an interest in medicine,” said Winston, who just…


June 22, 2020

Juneteenth Online Chat, Website Provides for Shared Experiences

Spencer Watson

Participation in the Juneteenth celebration averaged around 125 people throughout the hour and a half event.

Juneteenth, the anniversary of the final 1865 emancipation of all enslaved Americans, was celebrated June 19 at UAMS hosted by the UAMS Division for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. “This year especially we want people to ‘Celebrate, Educate and Connect,’ which has been our theme,” said Odette Woods, senior director of diversity at DDEI. A special…


June 17, 2020

DDEI Hosts Virtual Healing, Discussion Chats

Spencer Watson

Students and employees attend an evening video conference hosted by Amber Booth-McCoy of the Division for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

In the wake of nationwide protests concerning systemic racism in American society, the UAMS Division for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion hosted a series of online safe spaces the week of June 8 for students and employees to discuss current events. “This period of extended protest has stimulated a long overdue conversation,” said Brian Gittens, Ed.D.,…


May 20, 2020

Diversity Summer Outreach Programs Go Digital

Spencer Watson

Learning opportunities such as the Academy of Pre-Health Scholars will be moved online to increase safety and provide broader access.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, summer outreach programs of the UAMS Division for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion have been moved online. The programs, designed to cultivate an interest in health sciences among up-and-coming students from kindergarten to undergraduate levels, particularly underrepresented minority students, include the DDEI STEM Academy, the Academy of Pre-Health Scholars and…


May 18, 2020

UAMS Graduates 914 Health Care Professionals

Spencer Watson

Members of the genetic counseling class of 2020 gather for a virtual celebration led by department chair Noelle Danylchuk, M.S.

Degrees and certificates were conferred to 914 graduates of the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences’ (UAMS) five colleges and graduate school on May 16. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, no commencement ceremony was held. A digital commencement program can be found here. Degrees were awarded to 165 in the College of Medicine, 255 in the…


March 10, 2020

UAMS Students Introduce High School Visitors to Health Care Careers

Spencer Watson

Visiting high school and UAMS medical students gather for a photo during the HPREP event.

More than 80 UAMS student volunteers, mostly from the College of Medicine, welcomed dozens of high school students from across Arkansas to the UAMS main campus Feb. 22 to introduce them to careers in health care. The event, called Health Professions Recruitment and Exposure Program (HPREP) was presented by the UAMS chapter of the Student…


March 4, 2020

Guest Lecture Addresses Bias toward Health Care Workers

Spencer Watson

Leon McDougle, M.D., M.P.H., chief diversity officer and professor at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, presents at UAMS on Feb. 26.

What should doctors, nurses or other health care providers do when a patient makes a request that seems discriminatory? Leon McDougle, M.D., M.P.H., chief diversity officer and professor at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, was a guest of the UAMS Division for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to discuss precisely that situation in a…


February 3, 2020

Center for Diversity Affairs Becomes Division for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Spencer Watson

The reorganization includes the launch of a new website at ddei.uams.edu.

The UAMS Center for Diversity Affairs, first established in 2011, has been reorganized into the Division for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. The change was prompted by a growth of the division and its strategic objectives under the direction of Brian Gittens, Ed.D., who joined UAMS as vice chancellor for diversity, equity and inclusion in June…


January 17, 2020

UAMS Celebration of MLK Encourages Attendees to Serve

Spencer Watson

Guest speaker Crystal C. Mercer speaks about public service during the UAMS Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration.

Service was the centerpiece as employees and students gathered to celebrate the life and legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. on Jan. 15, enjoying addresses from campus leaders and a guest speaker and then breaking for lunch and to sign up for volunteer opportunities. “Today I want to talk about how Dr. King…



Previous page Next page