EDI News

Duke University says activities on its campus will not be impacted by a new state law that prevents local governments from opening bathrooms for people to use based on their gender identity. The school released the following statement about the law, which was enacted on March 23rd:

"Duke University values every individual. We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, which makes us a better and stronger community. For that reason, we deplore any effort to deny any person the protection of the law because of sexual orientation or gender identity."

Dear Colleagues,

The past few weeks have been turbulent and troubling. Through the news we have witnessed horrible violence and terrorism in the Middle East, Europe and Africa. Closer to home we have seen racism, fear and exclusion on university campuses across the country, including our own. It is painful to hear of the intolerance and aggressions, but we need to listen to the voices that are speaking out.

Student organizations can often play an important role in student advocacy, and DukeMed Pride is no exception. Formerly known as the DukeMed Gay-Straight Alliance, this rebranded organization has been working to create a supportive environment for Duke lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) health professional students and their allies.

For the fifth consecutive year, the Duke University School of Medicine has received a record number of underrepresented minority applicants for its biomedical graduate programs.

Nancy Andrews, MD, PhD, dean of the School of Medicine; Ben Reese, PsyD, vice president of the Office for Institutional Equity for Duke University, and Judy Seidenstein, chief diversity officer for the School of Medicine, hosted a community forum about race today in the Learning Hall of the Trent Semans Center. More than 250 learners, faculty members and staff from the School of Medicine attended the standing room only event and shared their thoughts about race.  Many told of personal experiences from their past and more recently that had profoundly affected them.

More than 70 Duke University medical students gathered together today at 12:30 p.m. in the Great Hall of the Mary Duke Biddle Trent Semans Center to take part in a nationwide  demonstration of medical students aimed at drawing attention to social injustice and racial bias. Students at more than 40 medical schools across the country were expected to take part in the “White Coat Die-In” protests.

Nancy C. Andrews, MD, PhD, Dean, Duke University School of Medicine, has been recognized as a “Leader in Diversity.”

The School of Medicine’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion works with the medical school leadership to foster and influence an inclusive climate in which all constituents across the School of Medicine experience a genuine sense of belonging, engagement and achievement. The Office recently launched an Inclusion Council.

The goals of the council are trifold:

CASE (Council for Advancement and Support of Education) announced its national 2014 Circle of Excellence awards. These awards “acknowledge superior accomplishments that have lasting impact, demonstrate the highest level of professionalism and deliver exceptional results. Winning programs epitomize the profession’s best practices, raise standards and contribute to a growing body of knowledge about advancement.”