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University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine

Medical School

Mailing Address
1664 N Virginia St
Reno, Nevada 89557
Phone
(775) 784-6063
School Information
"Providing an Unrivaled Education since 1969, the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine has prepared more than 3,500 students, residents and fellows to lead the way to better health. Students are drawn to the small class sizes, award-winning faculty members and well-balanced work and school life. Our goal is to engage students in the pursuit of clinical excellence as lifelong learners through leadership, communication and teamwork and to support faculty in the development, delivery and evaluation of the curriculum" (Source: https://med.unr.edu/admissions).
General Information
On March 30, 2021, the University of Nevada, Reno Medical School published a newsletter article highlighting some of their DEI initiatives, including efforts to "increase the cultural competence and humility of our current health care workforce by helping to develop and deliver curricular content for medical students, Physician Assistant students and residents with classes on topics such as implicit bias, strategies to mitigate bias, health care disparities, structural racism in health care, microaggressions and active bystander intervention, and cultural humility." The UNR Medical School has a landing page discussing its view on diversity, stating "commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion is more than a wall plaque – it’s a promise. A promise we back with meaningful and measurable actions." It also has a banner highlighting "Black lives matter" and another stating "We value queer lives." The school also has a page highlighting its efforts for creating a more diverse and inclusive campus. They state "We actively work to ensure accountability of our learners and faculty through reporting, recognition and awards." See developments below:

Actions Taken

Admissions Policies
  • The school's diversity and inclusion landing page has references to specifically recruiting students, faculty, and staff with a focus on race, gender, socio-economic status, etc.
Anti-Racism, Bias, and Diversity Training
  • The University of Nevada Reno medical school hosts a recurring monthly virtual discussion that is open to all issues relating to diversity and inclusion.
  • The school hosts an annual event called the Inclusive Medicine Series which is "aimed at creating a larger conversation of diversity and inclusion issues facing the community and campus." The page for this annual event states that it has been occurring since 2017.
  • UNR School of Medicine has a page that discusses their efforts to develop curriculum and implicit bias measurement tools. It states they have developed the "The Implicit Bias Research Group (IBRG)" to provide training on implicit bias for faculty and admissions committees and medical students.
  • The PROACTIVE (Promoting Research, Outreach, Acceptance and Commitment Training, Interdisciplinary collaboration, and Values-driven Education) research team provides "trainings on implicit bias for faculty search committees, admissions committees, and medical students."
  • The Health Equity Grand Round Series at UNR Med is a "quarterly lecture series developed for medical students, residents and physicians" and includes "rural health care, disability, unconscious bias and safe zone training."
Faculty/Staff Requirements
  • The medical school discusses their view on diversity, stating "A diverse culture is one of our most defining values, because it is who we are and what we do." The page also discusses that they "require faculty candidates to describe how they will contribute to our diverse culture and values."
  • The Faculty Search Policy for Excellence and Diversity at UNR Med "requires a diverse search committee and that every search committee member attend a training on how to promote diversity at each stage in the hiring process."
  • In order to better assess bias at UNR Med, the university utilizes the Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure (IRAP) tool which is "comparable to the Implicit Association Test...." Additionally, "[f]aculty currently receive IRAPs related to gender, race, socioeconomic status, and cultural background (e.g., rural communities)."
Political Actions and Support for Anti-Racism
  • The UNR Medical School published an undated letter in support of Black Lives Matter, discussing symbolic actions and policy changes that the school made "to address the impact of racism on campus." This included reviewing policing standards, celebrating Colin Kaepernick and those Black social justice pioneers who came before him on our campus, and exploring test score alternatives.
Resources
  • UNR Medical school published a policy for hiring faculty and senior staff that highlights diversity. In the "Purpose/Background" section it states, "The School of Medicine engages in systematic and focused recruitment activities to achieve mission-based diversity outcomes in addition to merit and qualification goals." It also mentions that all members of a search commitee are "responsible for promoting diversity and inclusivity throughout the search process, using the Diversity Checklist to inform and guide best practices."
  • UNR School of Medicine has a page with links to external sites with anti-racism topics including allyship, police violence, books, movies, etc.
  • UNR Med Diversity Dialogues is taking place on October 17, 2024, which "provides a space in which everyone can communicate, be heard, and engage with the complex problems we all face" and is an "open discussion of diversity and inclusion issues and the diversity initiatives at UNR Med."
  • The Office of Diversity and Inclusion at UNR Med "aims to increase a culture of diversity and inclusion through the recruitment and retention of faculty and senior administrative staff."
  • The Diversity Council at UNR Med "provides training resources for School of Medicine faculty and staff and remains active in participating in diversity studies."
Symbolic Actions
  • The UNR Medical School published the winners of two diversity and inclusion awards.
  • UNR School of Medicine states that they are working "to ensure opportunities for faculty of all backgrounds to nurture advancement and promotion in their career development."
Last updated September 26th, 2024
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