Open AccessImplementing a Successful Faculty-Driven Diversity Liaison Program: an Innovative Approach to Faculty Recruitment at OUWB School of Medicine
Author(s) -
Deirdre Gernell Pitts,
Jason Adam Wasserman,
Douglas Gould
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
medical science educator
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.257
H-Index - 13
ISSN - 2156-8650
DOI - 10.1007/s40670-020-01006-y
Subject(s) - diversity (politics) , medical education , faculty development , underrepresented minority , process (computing) , medical school , psychology , medicine , professional development , political science , computer science , law , operating system
Recruiting a diverse faculty is necessary for fostering inclusive environments at medical schools. The current study describes the creation and implementation of a faculty-led Diversity Liaison Program (DLP). After a faculty-wide assessment of attitudes regarding diversity, volunteer faculty participants in the DLP received training about identifying and mitigating bias in the search process, as well as methods for increasing search pool diversity. Early results show increased hiring of faculty who are women and from underrepresented groups. We conclude by discussing the successes and challenges of the program, which are instructive for other institutions seeking to diversify their faculty.