Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI)
McGovern Medical School is committed to an institutional culture that fosters the recruitment, nurturing and retention of a diverse student body, trainees, staff and faculty that is reflective of the community we serve.
Let's Celebrate Our Diversity!

December is a month of gathering and celebrating various holidays.

Hanukkah is celebrated by the Jewish community from December 2 - 10th.
Winter Solstice celebrated by Pagans and Wiccans on December 21st.
Christmas celebrated by many Christians on the 25th.
Kwanzaa a seven day festival that celebrates African and African American culture and history, starts on December 26th.
Recent News
Fall Diversity Awareness Events
Why dedicate only one week to celebrate our diversity when it could be an ongoing celebration!
Annual Cultural Fair
We started off our Fall Diversity Awareness Celebration with the Annual Cultural Fair. Faculty, residents, students and staff gathered to celebrate and learn about different cultures and countries with delicious food sampling, music, dance, and much more!

Mark Tschaepe, PhD
"Diminishing Microaggressions in the Clinic and Beyond"
Let's welcome rather than alienate! In this riveting talk, Dr. Tschaepe taught us about the different types of micro-aggressions that can be experienced in the clinical setting as a student, patient or physician, and shared different strategies for dealing with them.
Veterans Day Program
Honoring all those who have served
Dr. Saleem Khan, Keynote Speaker
Associate Professor of Surgery, military veteran and recipient of the Bronze Star and Legion of Merit, Dr. Saleem Khan gave a talk recalling his "road back" home and his experience trying to reintegrate into civilian life after serving his country in combat. He shared his honest experience living with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and advocated for others quietly battling this life-altering condition. Faculty, residents, students and staff listened as he paid tribute to all fellow service-members.

"I think that every man and woman that slings their weapon over their back, and steps outside the wire, not knowing what their next step is going to be, is a hero in their own right." - Dr. Khan
Health Careers Academy
Kick-Off

With the help of our amazing mentors we had another successful HCA Kick-Off! In addition to learning about various health career options, students enjoyed hands-on-activities with their medical student mentors. They learned about different diseases with real human organs as well as how to perform reflex tests with Dr. Pedro Mancias, Assistant Dean of the ODI and Pediatric Neurologist.

New mentors are always welcomed!
David Acosta, M.D., Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer from the AAMC visits McGovern Medical School

McGovern Medical School had the pleasure of hosting Dr. Acosta on campus on September 27. During his visit, some of our diversity and inclusion allies had an opportunity to talk about strategies and new innovative ways to promote diversity within our school and the community. Dr. Acosta also gave a UTHealth-wide institutional lecture on “The Vital Role of Academic Medical Centers in Addressing Healthcare Disparities.”
Upcoming Events
Spring Diversity Events

Stay tuned for events and details throughout the Spring Semester!
Spotlights
Faculty


Family circumstances led Dr. Lankford to pursue a career in medicine, more specifically, neurology. His interest and curiosity in the field inspired him to become a child neurologist and a leader in the residency program here at MMS.
Resident


Residency can be tough, but the support Dr. Barrett has received at UTHealth makes her feel valued and supported.Throughout her professional journey as an ophthalmologist, Dr. Barrett has had many advocates who have helped in the development of her career. Dr. Barrett shares her journey into medicine.
Student


His compassion to help and serve others arose from a very young age while living in India. Anurag tells us what motivated him to go to medical school and how his parents influenced and shaped him into the person he is today.
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