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F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine at Uniformed Services University

Medical School

Mailing Address
4301 Jones Bridge Rd.
Bethesda, Maryland 20814
Phone
(800) 772-1743
Email address
admissions@usuhs.edu
School Information
"Among all accredited medical schools in the United States, only the School of Medicine at USU can rightfully claim the title, 'America’s Medical School.' Named for the Louisiana Congressman who championed its creation, the F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine was established in 1972 to assure that the Army, Navy, Air Force, and U.S. Public Health Service would have a steady supply of physician-leaders to provide the backbone for their medical corps." "The roles of our graduates are diverse and far reaching, including heading terrorism and emergency response teams, serving in the White House Presidential medical detail, commanding major Military Treatment Facilities, and conducting vital research across all disciplines of medicine." (Source: https://medschool.usuhs.edu/about) "We accept both civilians and active duty personnel. Students accepted to the program pay no tuition and commission as officers into one of the four uniformed services before beginning classes. In return, they will complete an active duty service commitment upon graduating: seven years for the Army, Navy, and Air Force, and ten years for the Public Health Service." (Source: https://medschool.usuhs.edu/academics/md-program)

Actions Taken

Admissions Policies
  • The school seeks "applications from diverse individuals, particularly applicants from backgrounds and identities underrepresented in psychology and science" which includes "individuals from underrepresented communities defined by race, ethnicity, sexual/gender minority identification, individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, and individuals who are among the first in their family to obtain an undergraduate degree."
  • The school's Office of Diversity "exists for the sustainment and education of diverse students in the School of Medicine" and has "on-going communications with prospective students, faculty, and members of the medical academic community to help bring awareness to underrepresented minorities of the opportunities at USU."
  • On September 17, 2020, the school's Dean published a memorandum on the subject of its policy on diversity and inclusion which states that "Long-term strategic goals include direct outreach to key Universities that produce large numbers of medical school applicants from groups Under-Represented in Medicine (URM), which the AAMC defines as 'those racial and ethnic populations that are underrepresented in the medical profession relative to their numbers in the general population'.”
  • The School of Medicine's 2024 Guide for Prospective Students states that it "seek[s] applications from diverse individuals, particularly applicants from backgrounds and identities underrepresented in medicine and science."
Anti-Racism, Bias, and Diversity Training
  • On September 17, 2020, the school's Dean published a memorandum on the subject of its policy on diversity and inclusion which states that the school "acknowledges that there are a number of implicit and explicit obstacles to recruiting a diverse pool of applicants to the School, and our admissions committee has adopted a more holistic approach to medical school recruitment and admissions, and regularly participate in implicit bias training."
Curriculum Changes and Requirements
  • The school's "foundations" courses "ask students to do readings and engage in discussions related to cultural humility, particularly with respect to interventions and assessments." Additionally, for third year students, the program includes a "diversity" course which "asks students to read about and write reflection papers on intersecting identities, bias and privilege, and advocating for equity and inclusion."
  • The school's medical program has "adopted an infusion model of diversity and multicultural training, which means that multicultural issues are addressed throughout the curriculum" and includes "discussions on the topics of EDI [Equity, Diversity, Inclusion] in all areas of training, from classes to practicum experiences."
  • On September 17, 2020, the school's Dean published a memorandum on the subject of its policy on diversity and inclusion which states that the "Curriculum Subcommittee recommends methods to include instruction and experiences related to bias, diversity, structural competency and cultural competency throughout the educational experience."
  • The School of Medicine's 2021 Communication Playbook states that it would "[i]dentify and address bias and racism in the curriculum."
  • The School of Medicine's 2024 Guide for Prospective Students states that it "seek[s] to improve diversity through targeted efforts...while also identifying and eliminating bias in the curriculum."
Program and Research Funding
  • Several of the school's faculty have "research foci targeting topics related to diversity and health equity" and the school's students are encouraged to "engage in research designed to further the health and well-being of individuals whose identities have been associated with poorer health outcomes, as is the case for health in equities [sic], and to engage in research designed to understand psychological constructs and phenomenon that have often not been examined among individuals holding diverse identities."
Resources
  • The school's Associate Director of Alumni Affairs, Tasha Wyatt, PhD, states the following: " I study how larger systems of power and oppression shape who we are as medical professionals. I center the voices of those who have been most disadvantaged in our systems and the consequence this has had on their identities." Wyatt co-authored "A primer to critical race theory (CRT)". Academic Medicine, 2022.
  • The school's Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion "ensures that the School of Medicine reflects our nation’s diversity and works to prepare students to care for our diverse patient population, lead in complex cultural environments, and adapt to our nation’s future needs."
  • The school's biography for Duane Bidwell, PhD, Assistant Professor of Health Professions Education, states that Bidwell uses "intersectional, intercultural, and decolonial theory to cultivate justice, equity, diversity, and inclusivity in clinical, educational, and leadership practices."
  • On September 17, 2020, the school's Dean published a memorandum on the subject of its policy on diversity and inclusion which states, "Because we regard ourselves as 'America’s Medical School,' the SOM fully embraces the ideals of inclusiveness and diversity that define the United States and contribute to its greatness as a nation."
  • Dr. Lisa Harris is the Assistant Dean for Pathways and Recruitment for the School of Medicine. In 2021, "Dr. Harris was appointed the inaugural USU Addressing Racism and Bias Task Force Chair and was selected as a member of an inaugural national Academic Family Medicine Antiracism Learning Collaborative."
  • Dr. Paolo C. Martin "serves on the USU Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) committee where he is a faculty development instructor for the university allyship curriculum."
Symbolic Actions
  • As part of its "Diversity Commitment," the Department of Anesthesiology states that it is "dedicated to providing an inclusive and supportive environment; identifying and removing barriers to inclusion and success in anesthesiology; and continually improving our cultural responsiveness and programmatic development and implementation."
Last updated August 13th, 2024
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