Group of student-led protestors from across the Medical Center gather outside the School of Medicine in support of the #BlackLivesMatter movement.

White Coats for Black Lives

During a student-led protest, people from around the Medical Center show their support of the #BlackLivesMatter movement.

Lanier high school students stand in line to see a retired ambulance that was refitted to serve as a stationary simulation lab.

Lanier High School’s Health Services Academy

The UMMC School of Nursing collaborates with AMR, JPS and the Lanier High School National Alumni Association to support the academy.

Male associate pharmacology professor fills a test tube with liquid in a UMMC research lab.

Associate Professor of Pharmacology at UMMC receives NIH grant

Dr. Jan Michael Williams to study renal damage associated with pre-puberty obesity.

Main Content

Office of Diversity and Inclusion

HEEDHP award logo. Text reads: Insight into diversity. Health Professions. Higher Educations Excellence in Diversity Award 2021. Top Colleges for Diversity.The Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) guides strategies for integrating diversity and promoting excellence into UMMC’s three mission areas – education, research and health care.

We foster a climate of inclusion throughout our workforce and student body, where respect for different points of views, backgrounds, and cultures are seen as strengths that enable the entire academic health center to benefit from each individual’s unique talent and perspective.

Awards and recognition

  • UMMC received the MS Chapter of the American College of Healthcare Executives inaugural 2021 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award
  • UMMC received the Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from Insight into Diversity (2019, 2021)
  • Dr. Kimberly Bibb, UMMC's Group on Women in Medicine and Science former board president, was selected to serve as a Member-at-Large on the Association of American Medical College's GWIMS steering committee in 2021.
  • The UMMC Chapter of the Group on Women in Medicine and Science won the “2019 GWIMS Leadership Award for an Organization” by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC).
  • The Human Rights Campaign recognized UMMC as a “Top Performer” (2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022) and “Leader” (2018) for the Healthcare Equality Index (HEI) for inclusive care for LGBTQ populations.
  • Dr. Michael Ryan, professor of physiology and biophysics, was named “2019 Diversity Educator of the Year” by the Board of Trustees for the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning.
  • In 2017, Dr. Juanyce Taylor, UMMC Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, received the NAMME Diversity Leadership Award by the National Association of Medical Minority Educators, Inc.
Female data science student poses in front of Translational Research Center

Education

We collaborate with schools, departments, and programs to support strategies designed to increase enrollment, recruitment and retention of diverse individuals who demonstrate academic excellence and those with unique talents and abilities which complement the academic setting.

Male doctor prepares injections to give to female patient

Health Care

We partner with leaders to build and sustain a diverse and competent health care workforce which is essential to ensuring a rich and fully empowered health system; and treating the diverse populations we serve.

A female research conducts laboratory tests

Research

We strive to develop culturally competent researchers and study investigators to improve understanding on how factors such as gender, ethnicity, genetic information, and lifestyle choices impede positive health outcomes.