Rahn Says Diversity Critical to UAMS Health Mission
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Billy Thomas, M.D., vice chancellor for diversity, and Hosea Long, associate vice chancellor for human resources, stand in front of a world map highlighting the native countries of UAMS employees.
Sept. 28, 2011 | Diversity is a critical ingredient in the ability of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) to accomplish its mission of improving health in Arkansas, said UAMS Chancellor Dan Rahn, M.D.
To kickoff an annual weeklong celebration of diversity at UAMS, Rahn and the newly appointed vice chancellor for diversity, Billy Thomas, M.D., M.P.H., detailed short and long-range goals for diversity efforts at UAMS.
“The secret to our institutional success is our ability to recruit, retain and support global talent,” said Rahn, as a world map on display nearby showed that UAMS employees came from 81 different countries. Noting that UAMS was a talent-driven enterprise, the chancellor said incorporating policies for diversity and inclusion were critical to providing high-quality, culturally competent patient care, and academic and research programs in the future.
UAMS Chancellor Dan Rahn, M.D., talks during a question-and-answer session about UAMS diversity goals.
The event signaled the start of the 15th Annual UAMS Diversity Week with events planned each day, culminating with the International Fest on Friday.
The week’s events include:
- Tuesday – “Real Life: Diversity Mission Possible,” presented by Bart Barlogie, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Myeloma Institute and Trevor Arnett, a social worker with the Myeloma Institute
- Wednesday – A panel discussion featuring Patricia Edgerson, Center for Diversity Affairs’ Outreach Program Director and former participants in the UAMS summer science research programs plus a diversity poster display by employees
- Thursday – “Improving Health in Arkansas: What More Can We Do?,” an interactive discussion facilitated by Creshelle Nash, M.D., M.P.H., of the College of Public Health
- Friday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. – International Fest, concourse of the Education II building
All of the events except International Fest will be held from noon to 1 p.m. in the Pauly Auditorium, G219 in the College of Public Health building.
Thomas, who was appointed UAMS’ first vice chancellor for diversity earlier this month, emphasized the campuswide nature of diversity in detailing goals across patient care, recruitment/retention, education/training, research, human resources, institutional data and community engagement areas. “This is not just an academic endeavor, it’s a campus wide initiative,” he said.
He and Rahn both pointed to data showing the state’s higher rates for obesity, infant mortality and low rates of immunizations. A culturally competent health care workforce is necessary to take a holistic view of health and to understand the different socio-economic and societal factors that can influence health.
Diversity, Thomas said, is not just about race and ethnic background but about all of the elements that make for a diverse society. This includes disabilities, age, gender, sexual orientation, personality differences and learning styles.
The diversity goals are statements of intention for UAMS, Rahn said. “I think they are all things that advance the overall mission of UAMS in a pretty direct way.”
He called Thomas’ appointment a way to consolidate campus diversity efforts and create a “center of gravity” in Thomas and the UAMS Center for Diversity Affairs for achieving diversity goals.
“We want a campus climate that values and welcomes diversity and is supported by broad collaboration and a free exchange of ideas,” Rahn said, adding that “it can’t be Billy Thomas’ responsibility alone” to achieve diversity goals, but the responsibility of everyone at UAMS.