Education

Diversity, Activism, and Structural Competence

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Internationally renowned for breakthroughs in medical research, leading-edge practices, and state-of-the-art facilities, the University of Chicago is heralded locally for involvement with, and accessibility to, its neighbors. As a mainstay in historic Hyde Park on the south side of Chicago since 1892, the university has proudly hosted, healed, and educated the area’s dynamic population for generations. Hyde Park is a vibrant, socio-economically diverse, predominantly African American community. At the University of Chicago we are honored to serve a truly diverse patient population that includes the residents of Hyde Park, patients from many other neighborhoods throughout Chicago and its suburbs, and patients referred to our medical center from throughout the country and international community.

The University of Chicago is a world-class institution with deep roots in its local community and a commitment to internal diversity. The Pediatrics Training program recognize the benefits and importance of a diverse faculty and house-staff and are committed to this University-wide goal by working to increase the recruitment and support of underrepresented minorities in medicine and other minoritized groups to the University of Chicago Pediatric Residency Program.

This goal is met through various activities, linked below:

The Housestaff Diversity Committee (HDC) at the University of Chicago Medicine is a place for Residents and Fellows from all Programs to come together for community and exchange of ideas.  We provide a forum to meet and enhance leadership skills as well as to learn about advocacy, self-awareness, social justice, and intercultural understanding.  We believe the Physician workforce should represent the diversity of our patient population.  As such, we collaborate with University-wide diversity initiatives, we help to provide culturally sensitive medical education to our community and colleagues, thus fostering a sense of community among Physicians of color at the University of Chicago Medicine.

Learn more about this committee...

The University of Chicago has many dedicated faculty members pursuing research in healthcare disparities from a variety of aspects. There are many opportunities for house staff or medical students to get involved with ongoing research.  If you require further information or wish to be put in touch with any of the faculty, please contact Dr. Alisa McQueen, Program Director, the University of Chicago Pediatric Residency Training Program.

Amidst a pandemic disproportionately affecting communities of color and a national reckoning with centuries of systemic racism and structural violence, we believe it is vital that physicians understand the context from which our patients present. Structural competency is defined as “the diagnostic recognition of the social, economic and political conditions that produce health inequities in the first place.” Situated in an underserved area within a deeply segregated city, we seek to partner with our community to understand institutional, systemic, and medical racism in order to better serve our patients. While this is a resident-curated curriculum, we mindfully prioritize involvement of members, organizations, and experts of our community to teach us whenever possible.

Sessions occur regularly, with past topics including (but not limited to): the history of Chicago's segregation and UChicago's role in the community, community asset mapping, environmental racism, immigrant and LGBTQi health, and various medical topics specific to black and brown bodies.

The Cultural Competence Course was created by the Department of Diversity, Inclusion & Equity of UChicago Medicine in order to help acheive the UCM mission of patient-centered care.  The course supports the People objective of the UCM FY18 Annual Operating Plan "to build a culturally and linguistically competent organization."  An accelerated course is offered to all trainees and includes the following topics:

  • The Business Care for Cultural Competence and Dimensions of Diversity
  • Dimensions of Diversity, Power & Privilege and Self-Awareness
  • World View and Transcultural Communication
  • Addressing Limited Literacy and Communication via Interpreters
  • Ethical Dimensions of Care
  • Health Disparities and Change Agency

For more information, contact Joel Jackson, Assistant Director, Inclusion & Training

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion's Small Grants Program (SGP), offers BSD and UCMC staff, students, and trainees up to $2,000 to engage in research and or programmatic interventions that have the potential to enhance and/or support diversity & inclusion within the BSD.

Learn more about eligibility and deadlines...

The Underrepresented in Medicine Visiting Clerkship Program (UIMVCP) is co-sponsored by the University of Chicago Committee on Diversity and Inclusion, and the Department of Pediatrics as a supplement to our regular Visiting Clerkship Program. This competitive program provides mentoring, networking, and stipend support for URiM, fourth-year students participating in the Visiting Clerkship Program. Successful candidates will advance our diversity and inclusion mission at the Medical School and become prospects for academic training programs for internship and residency at the University of Chicago Medicine.

Financial Assistance

The program will pay a $2,000 stipend to UIMVCP students to support costs associated with participation. UIMVCP participants who complete their rotation will be paid at the end of the rotation.

Learn more about eligibility and rotations...
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The Department is committed to providing education, building programs, and enhancing processes for recruitment, mentorship, and advancement for all department members.

Learn more about the Departmental D&I Committee...

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