Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

UMN 2019 entering class group picture

Diversity is a central pillar of the University of Minnesota MSTP and a foundational requirement for excellence. The MSTP is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, equitable and just climate that fosters the success and well-being of students and faculty from all backgrounds and experiences. Diversity cultivates success, generates innovative solutions, increases research addressing disparities, expands public trust, improves the quality of research, develops leadership abilities and competitiveness, and enhances critical thinking and intellectual development.

UMN MSTP group picure

To this end, we make justice, equity, diversity and inclusion a priority within our program. We pledge to continually educate ourselves, examine our biases, and work to combat systemic racism and injustice. This process requires engagement and commitment from all levels within the program. Members of the MSTP works together on a number of initiatives.

Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) Committee. The mission of the MSTP JEDI committee is to fully address issues of justice, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) within the MSTP, including student experience, faculty diversity, DEI training, and recruitment of new students. The JEDI committee organizes the Undergraduate Physician Scientist Mentoring Program, administers regular climate surveys, and hosts open forums on topics of diversity, equity and inclusion.

Outreach to students who identify as Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC).  The MSTP partners with multiple undergraduate institutions to provide BIPOC students with opportunities for summer research, information about MD/PhD training, and advising and guidance about this career pathway.  MSTP faculty and students attend the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS) and the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) Annual Meeting.

Pre-MSTP summer research program.  Our pre-MSTP summer research program provides an opportunity for students from diverse backgrounds to conduct research and directly engage with our program.  The program works to enhance the matriculation of BIPOC students into MD/PhD programs.

UMN MSTP students meeting with potential applicants

Reduce barriers in the application process.  We publish our supplemental application questions on our website and do not charge a supplemental application fee.  All members of the MSTP Steering Committee and the Student Admissions and Recruitment Committee complete annual bias training.

Involvement of students in the admissions process.  The Student Admissions and Recruitment Committee reflects the diversity of our MSTP student body and fully participates in MSTP recruitment, interviews, and admissions.

Undergraduate Physician Scientist Mentoring Program. MSTP students mentor underrepresented college students by sharing their graduate experiences and helping them navigate the path to a career as a physician-scientist.

Women in Science and Medicine (WISM) Group. WISM hosts roundtable discussions, talks, and social events for students to discuss issues of gender equality and foster support networks between students at all levels of training.

Women in Science and Medicine Seminar Program. The MSTP collaborates with the Office of Faculty Affairs to host external women physician scientists to hold seminars and meet with MSTP students.

Student National Medical Association (SNMA). MSTP students are members, leaders, and mentors in the SNMA, the oldest and largest student-run organization focused on the needs and concerns of medical students of color.

Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS). MSTP students founded the University of Minnesota Chapter of SACNAS, which is dedicated to fostering the success of Chicano/Hispanic and Native American scientists.

Antiracism Discussions. Second year MSTP students initiated a series of discussions during M1/M2 meetings about the intersections of antiracism principles and research.

Invited seminar programs. We elevate the voices of BIPOC physician scientists through our invited seminar programs and other program activities.

Networking events. In collaboration with the Medical School's Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, the JEDI committee organizes a Physician Scientist Networking Event that brings together physician scientists at all training levels who are committed to justice, equity, diversity and inclusion.

MSTP Leadership in Diversity Fellowship.  This fellowship recognizes and rewards MSTP students who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion through leadership in initiatives that foster the program’s commitment to creating a diverse, inclusive, equitable and just climate. Information on recent fellowship awardees can be found here.