Spring Break
JHU physician-in-chief receives Diversity Award
Issue date: 3/6/08
Cardiologist and Hopkins Hospital physician-in-chief Myron Weisfeldt was named the second-ever recipient of the Diversity Award from the Association of Professors of Medicine. Since taking his post as head of the Department of Medicine six years ago, Weisfeldt has developed a detailed program to increase diversity in Hopkins medicine.
After the program's implementation, the proportion of minority medical residents and fellows in the department has increased dramatically, from 8 percent in 2001 to 23 percent in 2006. Additionally, the numbers of minority assistant professors have nearly doubled.
The gains made by the program are so significant that in 2005, Hispanic Business magazine named Hopkins the second-best place for Hispanics to study medicine (Stanford University took first place). Weisfeldt's program includes a variety of initiatives, including a diversity council that has already employed many changes and a regular survey that assesses the attitudes and opinions of minority staff and faculty. More active recruitment of minorities and women is also a key part of the program.
Advertisements targeting minority medical students brought a host of applicants to Hopkins. Each applicant was assigned a staff member by the diversity council to act as an advocate and guide during the interview process.
After the program's implementation, the proportion of minority medical residents and fellows in the department has increased dramatically, from 8 percent in 2001 to 23 percent in 2006. Additionally, the numbers of minority assistant professors have nearly doubled.
The gains made by the program are so significant that in 2005, Hispanic Business magazine named Hopkins the second-best place for Hispanics to study medicine (Stanford University took first place). Weisfeldt's program includes a variety of initiatives, including a diversity council that has already employed many changes and a regular survey that assesses the attitudes and opinions of minority staff and faculty. More active recruitment of minorities and women is also a key part of the program.
Advertisements targeting minority medical students brought a host of applicants to Hopkins. Each applicant was assigned a staff member by the diversity council to act as an advocate and guide during the interview process.
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