Diversity
Get Involved
Diversity-Related Student Organizations
In our commitment to foster an inclusive and equitable community, we are proud to highlight our diverse array of student groups dedicated to promoting diversity, equity inclusion, belonging and health equity. These organizations host educational, cultural, and social events throughout the year. By joining these groups, students can engage with like-minded peers, participate in meaningful projects, and contribute to the ongoing efforts to create a more just and inclusive campus community. Our Diversity, Equity and Belonging Liaison for Student Support meets monthly with this the leaders of these student groups to provide a forum for updates, DEB happenings, guidance, and support.
American Medical Women’s Association
American Muslim Medical Student Association (AMMSA)
Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association (APAMSA)
Association of Women Surgeons
Catholic Medical Organization (CMO)
Christian Medical Society
Disability and Deafness Advocacy Coalition (DDAC)
Diverse Graduate Student Group (DGSG)
Environmental Health and Medicine
First Generation in Medicine
Global Health Interest Group (GHIG)
Graduate Student Association International Committee
Heath Professions Student Assembly Diversity (HPSA)
Immigrant Health Interest Group
Jewish Union of Medical Professionals (JUMP)
Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA)
Medical Spanish Interest Group, UP
Military Medicine Interest Group and Student Veterans of America (MMIG/SVA)
Multicultural Awareness Club (MAC)
Physician Assistant Program, Class of ‘25 Diversity Chair
Physician Scientist Student Association (PSSA), Diversity Taskforce Chair
Pre-Health Program for Underrepresented Leaders in STEM Education (PULSE)
Public Health Association for Service and Education (PHASE)
Refugee Initiative
Rural Health Interest Group
Sexual and Gender Minorities Alliance (SGMA)
South Asian Student Association (SASA)
Student National Medical Association (SNMA)
Student-led Collaborative Outreach Program for Health Equity (SCOPE)
Women’s Health Interest Group (WHIG)
Our Diverse Student Champion program aims to offer an added layer of support to meet a student needs. It pairs College of Medicine students considered underrepresented in medicine, science, and graduate level programs to diverse mentors.
Mentors can include faculty, clinicians, researchers, and alumni. Mentors share their real-world tips and advice to help students succeed.
The program also includes group events for learning and networking. These events strengthen the relationships among mentors, mentees, and peers. The events also enhance the educational experience and foster a sense of belonging.
For more information, contact the Office for Diversity, Equity, and Belonging.
Network of Underrepresented Residents and Fellows
The Network of Underrepresented Residents and Fellows (NURF) is a group of diverse residents and fellows from various specialties. NURF’s goal is to promote cultural diversity in the residency programs through community involvement, mentorship with diverse faculty, professional networking, and support for the recruitment of diverse medical students into the residency programs. NURF is sponsored by the Penn State College of Medicine Graduate Medical Education and the Penn State Health Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion offices.
Group on Women in Medicine and Science (GWIMS)
The Group on Women in Medicine and Science (GWIMS) has joined with the Office of Diversity, Equity & Belonging. Its aim is to advance the full and successful participation and inclusion of all women within academic medicine by addressing gender equity, recruitment and retention, awards and recognition, and career advancement.
Our group strives to be inclusive of transgender, gender non-binary individuals, and male allies and works to support equity for all genders, races, ethnicities, abilities, and forms of intersectionality.
GWIMS is the Penn State COM chapter of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) GWIMS. GWIMS is open to any faculty member in the College of Medicine.
For more information, contact Amanda Cooper (acooper2@pennstatehealth.psu.edu), Heather Stuckey-Perot (hstuckey@pennstatehealth.psu), and Jessica Bonatakis (jbonatakis@pennstatehealth.psu.edu).
Affinity Groups: Find Your Connection
Affinity groups are dedicated to fostering an inclusive workforce where diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging are celebrated and promoted. Groups offer faculty and staff a way to connect with colleagues throughout the institution around similar interests, identities, experiences, and goals. The groups offer a space for networking, professional development opportunities, advocacy, and support.
Working Groups
Innovation
Envision approaches to DEB without boundaries, including the adoption of new fields such as artificial intelligence.
Pathway Programs
Collaborate with internal and external partners to enhance and expand pathway programs.
Staff Recruitment
Collaborate with HR on identifying talent and recruitment strategies.
Faculty Recruitment
Collaborate with HR on identifying talent and recruitment strategies.
Retention
Work on strategies related to onboarding processes, climate and culture.
Faculty and Staff
Collaborate with the Office of Faculty Affairs and Human Resources to identify/develop mentorship opportunities for junior to mid-career faculty.
Student Mentorship
Collaborate with the Office of Medical Education and Graduate Programs to identify/develop mentorship opportunities for learners from all academic programs (MD, PA, Graduate-level).
Scholarship
Collaborate with the Development Office to identify and pursue scholarship opportunities.
Marketing and Communication
Collaborate with marketing/communication team and other workgroups to identify and provide input on opportunities to improve DEB marketing and communication.
Funding and Resources
Identify and pursue funding opportunities in collaboration with Development Office, Office of Research, DEB Champions, and other Workgroups.