School of Medicine

Diversity and Community Engagement

About Us

2015 1:57:38 PM

OUR OFFICE OVERVIEW

 

One of the foremost challenges placed before health professions institutions of higher learning is to fully embrace and advance their role in effectively addressing health disparities and promote health equity in the communities which they impact and serve. An essential strategy is to effectively participate in the development of a diverse and culturally competent medical work force, which is prepared to serve populations and communities, which are increasingly diverse and impacted by critical health disparities.

 

Core elements of the Office of Diversity & Community Engagement's mission and programmatic priorities readily align with the School of Medicine's strategic goals which aim to: 1)Promote and embrace diversity and cultural competency in the School of Medicine faculty, staff, house staff, and student body, and 2)Expand outreach initiatives to develop and strengthen mutually beneficial relationships with community partners.

 

In fulfilling our mission, our core programs support and advance holistic admissions frameworks, which translate into the development and construction of a diverse student community, which strengthen the quality of the learning environment. We are proud that in keeping with the legacy of the office's founders, our programs continue to promote healthy diverse health professions pipeline initiatives, which serve to enhance both interest and access to careers in medicine among communities that are disadvantaged and underrepresented in medicine. I am very proud of the fact that we have a program faculty and staff who are dedicated to fostering a culture of inclusion and engagement for all members of our institution's educational community.

 

Robert T. Maupin Jr., MD

Associate Dean

Office of Diversity and Community Engagement

 

 

HelmPhoto203022015

The Office of Diversity and Community Engagement (formally the Office of Community & Minority Health Education; originally and formally the Office of Minority Affairs) was established in 1981 in response to community and legislative concern for minority health care in Louisiana and minority representation in medical education. In 1981, Louisiana State University developed a strategic plan that included enrollment goals for its medical school.

The Office of Diversity and Community Engagement's ability to reach these goals was aided by several factors including: 1) the establishment of scholarship funded for minority students; 2) the commitment to support a director of Diversity/Minority Affairs who is a minority physician, a faculty member, a voting member on both the Admissions and Promotions Committees; and 3) the continued support and integral involvement of the medical school administration.

ODCE, once under the direction of retired Dr. Edward Helm, and now under the leadership of Dr. Robert T. Maupin, currently has a full staff and continues to offer recruitment and retention services to minority and disadvantaged students in Louisiana. Over the past years, ODCE has attracted over $5 million federal grants and awards.

Video Viewpoints

Former program participants answer some of your FAQs.

Click here to view "Go for It!"

This video requires Mircosoft Windows Media Player.