Diversity in Health Sciences Education
Diversity in health care begins in medical school
Des Moines University and our Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs value the importance of cultural competence in health care.
That’s one of the many reasons why we are committed to providing you and your fellow students with an inclusive environment. Here, all students and employees thrive at the academic, professional and personal levels.
As colleges and universities navigate how to improve cultural competence in health care, our mission is to improve lives in our global community by encouraging diversity in health care. To do so, we focus on educating people from all walks of life, challenging them to examine cultural stereotypes and biases to help foster highly competent and compassionate health care professionals.
We ensure our students receive the best health sciences education that we can provide. As the most diverse medical schools have, DMU has also established several programs to create and promote diversity and inclusion on campus. These include the Diversity Health Series, Safe Zone programming, a student advisory committee, musical groups and many more.
The DMU Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs also sponsors a wide variety of events and guest speakers that celebrate and support diversity, promote the values and benefits of inclusion, provide training and create leadership development opportunities. Our programs for diversity in health care have proven to have a positive and profound impact on aspiring leaders in the medical and health sciences fields.
How to improve cultural competence in health care
Like some of the most diverse medical schools in the United States, DMU knows that diversity in health care can begin with institutions of higher learning. That’s why diversity is a core value at DMU, and the importance of cultural competence in health care is reflected throughout our community, from recruiting and admissions to faculty and administration.
Recruiting change: Diversity in health care can begin in higher learning
At DMU, our goal is to recruit students who meet our rigorous academic requirements and demonstrate compassion, commitment to diversity and understand the importance of cultural competence in health care, too. To help do this, we:
- Network with high school counselors in Iowa, including The RIDE (Rediscover Iowa’s Diverse Education)
- Attended the 2019 Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS)
- Created a Faculty and Staff Diversity Council to assist in student recruitment, development and successful matriculation.
Living in Greater Des Moines: Your new favorite place
Besides being a great place to live and work, the greater Des Moines metro is a vibrant area with communities from all walks of life. Ethnic grocery stores, restaurants and year-round events ensure that there’s always something for everyone.
Contact our team
The Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs sponsors and organizes a wide variety of programs and events throughout the year. Our events have held a profound impact on our students, faculty and staff.
“We strive to empower students to be part of a global health care system that is inclusive in delivering positive care in an increasingly diverse society.”
Rich A. Salas, Ph.D., Chief Diversity Officer
If you have any questions regarding the application process, or you’d like more information, please contact the admissions team at DMUAdmit@dmu.edu.