MISSION STATEMENT
The University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine believes that diversity is a value that is central to its educational, research, service and health care missions. Therefore, the SOM is committed to recruiting and supporting a diverse student body, faculty and administrative staff. The SOM adopts a definition of diversity that embraces race, ethnicity, gender, religion, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation and disability. The definition of diversity also includes life experiences, record of service and employment and other talents and personal attributes that can enhance the scholarly and learning environment.
The SOM shall strive to admit qualified students and appoint qualified residents, fellows, faculty, staff and administrators who represent diversity. The SOM also shall develop programs that are designed to: Promote the academic advancement and success of minority students, house officers and faculty; enhance cultural and diversity instruction throughout the curriculum; break down racial and ethnic stereotypes and promote cross-cultural understanding; and promote unexplored research agendas and new areas of scholarship. The SOM's diversity programs also seek to enhance diversity and cultural competency in the health care workforce, improve access to health care for poor, minority and under-served populations and, ultimately, eliminate racial, ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in health and health services.
The SOM will work with all departments and programs within the SOM, and with other University of Colorado campuses and their leaders, to achieve the goals outlined above and to promote a culture of inclusiveness, respect, communication and understanding. The SOM will support the goals of the University's Vision 2010, that seek to develop a University culture in which diversity and academic excellence are seen as inter-dependent
