The Mission of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee is to support Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) in its mission to prepare globally-minded, community-focused physicians to meet the needs of rural and medically underserved populations. Our goal is to provide the VCOM Community with the tools needed to affect positive and lasting change in their daily lives and their medical practices. The Diversity and Inclusion Committee consists of administrators, staff members, students and physicians focused on promoting a learning environment that educates not only on the sciences but on equality, equity, diversity and inclusion.
The Osteopathic philosophy is a belief in a holistic approach to human health care, which focuses on caring for the patient as a whole. Osteopathic physicians have traditionally served in both urban and rural communities, in populations of a broad socioeconomic range and diverse backgrounds. VCOM seeks to carry on this tradition and educate a future workforce in a time when health reform, demographic changes, and economic challenges are formidable.
VCOM, comprised of multiple campuses, communities and people, is committed to supporting and promoting:
The VCOM community advocates for a mindset of supporting diversity as a richness of human differences and fostering a sense of belonging, respect, and value for all.
As a college of osteopathic medicine, each campus also recognizes the need to address health disparities in all individuals and populations. As a VCOM community, when everyone is given equitable opportunity to succeed, we will all be successful.
VCOM is committed to increasing healthcare access for those most in need. VCOM medical education and outreach embraces caring for diverse populations throughout the southern United States and through our global health programs. These opportunities provide broader global health educational opportunities and allow VCOM students to make a difference in both the United States and abroad while they are attending medical school. For its efforts to promote inclusion and diversity, VCOM is a Partner Institution with Minority Access, Inc., and has received its Institutional Role Model Award each year since 2011. VCOM was recognized by Insight for Diversity with a Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) award.
The College has gathered additional resources such as books, podcasts and websites that address diversity, inclusion, bias and so much more.
Student organizations and committees are a very important part of the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM). The service performed by members of student organizations benefit not only the community and the region, but also the members, as they gain valuable knowledge, skills and experience.
The Diversity Officer on each of the four VCOM campuses promotes an inclusive atmosphere where all students, faculty, and staff feel welcomed and respected. Each Officer chairs the VCOM Diversity and Inclusion Committee on their campus and guides a mindset of supporting diversity as a richness of human differences and encompassing race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, religion, disability, age, and geography; and fosters a sense of belonging, respect, and value for all.
The Diversity Officer also meets with the various student minority organizations and representatives of a diverse student body to hear their concerns in a safe space, and assist with planning to address the concerns in a positive manner that supports both the students and the College as a whole. Students can be assured that the Diversity Officers will be available to meet with them to address concerns in confidence.
VCOM’s Diversity Officers serve as a conduit of information with the Campus Dean and higher administration on suggestions for positive change toward improving inclusion on campus and in the community, to promote equal access to health and healthcare and reduce healthcare disparities.
