Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis

The Office of Education recognizes “that MCAT, NBME subject exam, and USMLE scores, like all standardized tests, suffer from the consequences of systemic racism and other forms of bias and therefore must always be considered as only one aspect of a true holistic review process. Admissions has already commissioned an internal review to ensure we are using evidence-based (where available) and emerging best practices in student selection.”

The mission of the school's Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is to "enhance the educational environment through recruitment of a culturally diverse academic workforce while preparing a diverse student body to become leaders in a vibrant, global society."

In March of 2021, the school released a link on Facebook describing the school’s commitment to training students, residents, and fellows on Asian American bias.

The school's Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion facilitates the "Fundamentals of diversity, equity and inclusion" training sessions (four-part series) and employees are "expected to complete all four sessions by their fourth year of employment." Additionally, the Office offers "Unconscious Bias Training for Managers" which is "designed to develop skills needed to attract, hire and retain a diverse workforce and to create a climate where all staff is encouraged to develop their talents and ideas."

The Office of Education will “investigate our UME curriculum and its artifacts for evidence of structural racism and other biases. We will be developing a team of individuals to review these items for that purpose. We will expand this process as we learn how to do it effectively.”

The Executive Faculty of the Washington University School of Medicine approved “an Anti-Racism statement and a school-wide Understanding Systemic Racism (USR) curriculum.” According to the school, “The curriculum will include core components (ex. Historical Context, Shared Terminology, Identity Reflection, Race as a Social Construct) as well as track-specific topics (ex. Cultural Humility, Clinical Applications, Bias in Science, Action Planning).”

The school's Understanding Systemic Racism curriculum is "being created and led by a diverse, multidisciplinary, interprofessional team anchored within the WUSM Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion..." The Executive Faculty "further pledged time and support... to help tailor and teach the USR curriculum, again embedding this work into each department to ensure longitudinal change." Learners of this curriculum will "Understand both historical and present-day structural racism specific to St. Louis and its impact on the healthcare system, medical education, research and institutional climate/culture."

The Executive Faculty have undergone “an ‘Introduction to Systemic Racism’ workshop led by Crossroads, an independent organization that provides anti-racism organizing and training.”

The Office of Education will “require diversity and bias training for all searches and admissions processes including student, resident, fellow, faculty, and staff positions in education.”

The Office of Education will partner “with the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) to provide all UME course, clerkship, and coaching faculty with training on systemic racism and white supremacy culture and how this impacts both education and health.”

In October of 2021, the school announced on Facebook that it received a grant from the Merck Foundation to fund underrepresented researchers.

Medical departments throughout the school offer several programs that "provide funding and networking opportunities to visiting fourth year medical students from diverse backgrounds." Students who are "members of groups underrepresented or inadequately supported in medical training or who are socioeconomically disadvantaged are strongly encouraged to apply."

The school’s Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion offers Anti-racism resources, including Ibram X. Kendi’s “How to Be an Antiracist” and Robin DiAngelo’s “White Fragility, Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism.”

The school has an Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion that aims to, “Provide leadership, expertise and advocacy on all diversity, equity and inclusion efforts within Washington University School of Medicine” and “Enhance and develop community partnerships designed to address health needs and promote health equity within the St. Louis community and beyond.”

The Graduate Medical Education Consortium offers Anti-Racism Resources, including Jason Reynolds & Ibram X. Kendi’s “Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You” and Robin DiAngelo’s “White Fragility.”

The Division of Dermatology “created a resident committee on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Anti-racism to help support our program leadership in developing programs and facilitating events to further discussions and understanding of the importance of anti-racism and inclusivity work.”

The school’s Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion offers Training & professional development, such as “Fundamentals of diversity, equity and inclusion” and “Unconscious Bias.”

The Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion offers Equity Champions positions, which “are open to faculty and staff at every level and from all departments and divisions.” The school said, “The faculty and staff in this role will receive professional development to support their competency in leading discussions and training around anti-racism culture change and leadership within their department. Champions will serve for a minimum two year term, with the potential to be invited to continue.”

The Office of Education offers “Racial Equity, Civic, and Community Engagement Resources,” such as “Syllabus: A History of Anti-Black Racism in Medicine” and “Developing an Anti-Racist Residency Recruitment Process.”

The school’s Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion hosts events such as “Community Discussions: WUSM Leadership’s Commitment to Antiracism Statement” and “Increasing DEI through Accreditation – Conference.”

In November of 2021, the school highlighted on Facebook that research was being done on “racial bias” and “racial inequities” in regards to COVID-19.

In February of 2021, the school took to Facebook to highlight an event which will “explore the evidence of unconscious bias, systemic racism, criminal (in) justice, and health inequity specific to Black Boys in America.”

In June of 2020, the school had a “White Coats for Black Lives” demonstration in response to the death of George Floyd.

According to a report from Fox News, "A lecturer for Washington University in St. Louis’ medical school was caught on camera warning students that if they try to debate her on critical race theory and 'systemic oppression,' she 'will shut that s--- down real fast.'"

The school said, "Woven into the design of the Neuroscience Research Building under construction on the Washington University Medical Campus is an intangible yet still very real pillar deemed as important as the 6,500 truckloads of concrete used to reinforce the high-rise. The pillar is a holistic philosophy of diversity, equity and inclusion..."

The WashUMed Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion said, "On Juneteenth, we recommit ourselves to the work of equity, anti-racism, equality, and justice. As we reflect and celebrate on Juneteenth, we keep in mind the ways in which structural racism continues to impact communities of color in the United States and are mindful of the importance of equity in all spaces!"