Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University
Medical School
- Mailing Address
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1015 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107 - Phone
- (215) 955-6983
- Email address
- SKMC.Admissions@jefferson.edu
- School Information
- "Founded in 1824, Jefferson Medical College, now the Sidney Kimmel Medical College (SKMC), has awarded more than 31,000 medical degrees and has more living graduates than any other private medical school in the nation. It offers both undergraduate medical education programs and innovative joint degree programs to more than 1,000 students each year. The Sidney Kimmel Medical College is recognized for its balanced approach to medical education, and approximately one out of four to one out of five applicants throughout the U.S. apply to Sidney Kimmel" (Source: https://www.jefferson.edu/academics/colleges-schools-institutes/skmc/about.html).
- General Information
- Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University requires that all students take the Foundational Curriculum, which provides instruction within the ideologies of structural racism, bias, and microaggression. Training is also required for both students and faculty. Such training is centered on anti-racism. See developments below:
Actions Taken
- Curriculum Changes and Requirements
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The school states that within its curriculum, "students will reflect on the history of race in medicine and healthcare, unconscious bias, the impact of structural racism and its cumulative effect on social determinants of health." Furthermore, "students will critically examine the controversy over the use of race in clinical practice, with the ultimate goal of having a full understanding of the pervasive and persistent impact race and racism continue to have on health outcomes."
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All medical students are required to take the Foundational Curriculum, which is composed of "Unconscious Bias and Its Role in Interpersonal Interactions," "Microaggressions in Healthcare," "Social Determinants of Health," and "Structural Racism in Medicine."
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The school hosts the Anti-Racism in Health Focus Program which is a “discussion-based event where students will develop their understanding of present and historical factors affecting health equity - including how systemic racism disrupts access to and quality of care - to inform their futures as healthcare practitioners committed to socio-political awareness and cultural humility.”
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As part of the medical school’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives, “the GME Anti-racism/Anti-bias Curriculum offers a standardized foundational curriculum that addresses inclusive interpersonal skills, social determinants of health and structural racism in medicine. It is coupled with a specialty-specific health disparities curriculum that builds on the foundational curriculum. The program is offered to all TJUH residency programs.”
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SKMC has a Council on Diversity & Inclusion which “is charged with creating and updating the vision for diversity and inclusion, performing an ongoing assessment progress and makes recommendations on initiatives, curriculum, policies and resources needed to achieve desired outcomes.”
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- Faculty/Staff Requirements
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The school states, "SKMC understands that in order to achieve a curriculum that is anti-racist, it must also incorporate anti-racism education within faculty development and GME training. We are ALL learners in pursuit of an anti-racist institution, medical community, and society."
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- Symbolic Actions
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On February 24, 2023, the school will be hosting a discussion on “factors of interpersonal and structural racism/discrimination at the healthcare system level which contribute to adverse experiences and birth outcomes for persons racialized as Black.”
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The Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center’s Office for Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion made a commitment to work towards its goal to “enhance educational programs that promote cultural respect and understanding, reduce bias, and empower community advocacy among SKCC healthcare professionals and staff.”
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The Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center’s Office for Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion will “prioritize research initiatives that benefit public health and diverse communities’ interests.”
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