The Role of Offices of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion to the LHS+ Community

Abstract

Academic health science centers (AHSCs) in the United States (U.S.) are positioned as leaders in health professions education, clinical care and biomedical health science research. AHSCs often comprise a medical school, other health professions programs (e.g. pharmacy, nursing, physician assistant, etc.), teaching hospital(s), and faculty heavily involved in biomedical, clinical, and medical education research (Anderson G, Steinberg E, Heyssel R, Health Affairs 1994;13:146–58) Whether private or public, these institutions represent societal hubs that provide enormous benefits for the health and well-being of the communities that they serve. As LHS+ communities in the U.S. continue to expand in size and geographical distribution, so too does the social obligation to provide meaningful, culturally responsive, and equitable care for and engagement with this population. At many AHSCs, this engagement is often facilitated and led by offices of diversity, equity and inclusion (ODEIs). This chapter highlights several strategies and opportunities for ODEIs to enact positive change for LHS+ communities within and around AHSCs.