Enhancing diversity in our biomedical workforce remains an important goal, as Black/African American, Hispanic and indigenous people make up about 30% of the US population but represent only about 10% of biomedical professionals. While the proportion of natural science PhDs (NSF) and enrolled MD students (AAMC) earned by individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups has risen steadily, disparities in the biomedical workforce continue at each educational level.
Diversity benefits both our educational and research work environments (NIH). Students from diverse groups offer new perspectives and raise new questions, and enhance the cognitive development, satisfaction, and leadership abilities of all students. Diversity fosters scientific innovation and discovery and increases the likelihood that outcomes will benefit individuals from health disparity populations. The School of Medicine and Health Sciences host numerous pathway programs at the pre-college, college and graduate medical levels to stimulate interest and skills in biomedical careers.
We share information about the diversity of our biomedical students, faculty and staff in an effort to know and welcome our colleagues. Data from the university dashboard, faculty affairs and human resources administrative offices provide a “snapshot” of current representation at the school. In addition to participation from the communities below, we continue to value engagement by researchers with physical disabilities and those from disadvantaged backgrounds, as well as those from sexual minority groups (about 14% of the District’s population identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender), although we do not have systematic data on the representation of these communities in our biomedical workforce.
Our Students
- The MD program (2023; n=752) is 54% Female, 42% White, 28% Asian, 10% Black/African American and 11% Hispanic; 7% Other
- The IBS PhD program (2024 IBS; n= 63) is 66% female, 75% White, 14% Asian, 5% Black/African American, 2% Hispanic; 3% international
- Physical Therapy program (n=270) is 72% female, 57% White, 13% Asian, 3% Black/ African American, 14% Hispanic; 2% international; 12% Other
- Physician’s Assistant program (n=271) is 87% female, 50% White, 15% Asian, 5% Black/African American, 18% Hispanic;10% Other
Our Staff
- The Ross Hall full time employee group (2024; n=213) is 74% female, 46% White, 16% Asian, 27% Black/African American, 10% Hispanic. Of this total:
- The Research full time subset (n =92) is 64% female, 39% White, 30% Asian, 14% Black/African American, 16% Hispanic
- The Staff full time subset (2020; n=121) is 82% female, 51% White 6% Asian, 37% Black/African American, 6% Hispanic
Our Faculty
- Faculty (SMHS total full time regular faculty 2024, (n=1247) is 57% female, 55% White, 21% Asian, 9% Black/African American; 5% Hispanic/Latino, 8% Other