Diversity and Inclusion

Enriching VUMC's diverse community is a top priority for recruitment

The residency program’s overarching mission is to train a diverse group of future leaders in academic medicine who will improve the human condition through the practice of medicine, education, research and service.  

The 2023 Match resulted in an intern class that is 62 percent female and 22 percent self-identified as Under-Represented in Medicine (URiM), from an applicant pool that was 45 percent female and 15 percent URiM. The current group of 135 residents is the most diverse in our program’s history.

In addition, nearly one-third of residents see patients in local community health centers during their training. 

Below are some diversity initiatives on campus and in our Residency program: 

• Health Equity Education: Our multidisciplinary Health Equity Elective continues to grow, with high participation rates from the residency program. There are ample opportunities for education about Health Equity. Residents can complete a two-week multidisciplinary elective in Health Equity during their clinic block. There are also opportunities through GME for residents to complete certificates in LGBTQ+ Health and Global Health Equity.

• VUMC House Staff Diversity and Inclusion Alliance: This group is composed of residents and fellows with the mission to create a culture of respect and inclusion among house staff by celebrating all types of diversity, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, citizenship, and military status. We work synergistically and collaborate with existing diversity groups at Vanderbilt and the community, provide education and resources, and create opportunities for groups to interface and have open dialogue regarding challenges that still exist. 

• Social Medicine Committee: The Social Medicine Committee is a group of residents devoted to humanism and social justice in medicine, and is dedicated to increasing residents’ knowledge and understanding of social determinants of health. The group chooses noontime speakers and coordinates an academic half day devoted to topics in social medicine, such as racism and homelessness.  The Committee has recently strengthened its relationship with local community organizations, including Open Table Nashville, The Nashville Food Project and The Purple Foundation, and led several community food and school supply drives. 

• MHAMA (Minority Housestaff for Academic and Medical Advancement): This organization offers institutional mentorship and support for residents in under-represented minorities. Additionally, this group connects minority residents throughout the medical center for social and networking events numerous times throughout the academic year. Recent IM leadership involvement includes past President, Temini Ajayi (former IM resident). 

• Undergraduate and Medical Student Mentoring: Interested in mentoring undergraduate and college students from under-represented minorities? There are numerous opportunities to help mentor and support the next generation of diverse physicians. For example, residents recently held a virtual event to offeer tips to 4th year minority medical students from both Vanderbilt School of Medicine and Meharry Medical College. In addition, the Office of Diversity Affairs annually sponsors residents traveling to the Student National Medical Association national conference.

More info:

• Department of Medicine Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• Vanderbilt Office of Diversity Affairs