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Culture of Belonging

Cultivating an Inclusive Community. Improving the Health of Everyone We Serve.

UC San Diego School of Medicine is built on values that promote respect, justice, compassion, empathy and inclusion. We celebrate a culture of acceptance and collaboration where all members of our community are valued and respected. We believe that our equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) principles benefit not only our learning community, but also improve overall patient care and promote medical and research advancements.

EDI group

Celebrating Dr. Sandra Daley's contributions to advancing health equity

 

An Education Grounded in Health Equity

EDI principles serve as cornerstones for all educational opportunities at UC San Diego School of Medicine. Future health care providers are trained to practice in underserved communities through EDI-guided educational programs designed to address health inequities, such as PRIME and the Atkinson Physician Assistant Education Program.

Community Health

Community-Based Electives

Medical students can complete community-based electives focused on addressing health equity issues in the San Diego region.

Explore Electives

Student-Run Free Clinic

Students gain real world experience by providing health care to underserved communities in San Diego.

More About the Clinic

Learning Opportunities in the Community

Happy Araneta, Ph.D., associate dean of diversity and community partnerships, provides an overview of some of School of Medicine's community and service-based learning experiences for medical students.

Pathway Programs

Explore careers in medicine through our pathway programs. Opportunities are available for middle school, high school, community college and undergraduate students.

About Pathway Programs

ceremony

Diversity in Medicine Lectures

The quarterly Diversity in Medicine Lectureship series to celebrate diverse faculty and their health equity practice, research and advocacy. 

More about Diversity in Medicine

Graduate Medical Education

The Graduate Medical Education department fosters a diverse environment to enrich the educational experience of all trainees within departments and through the GME EDI Committee.

More about GME’s EDI Commitment

group of students posing under mural
three faculty members talking at a table outside

Faculty Development

Professional development programs, such as FIRST and the Health Sciences Center for Excellence are designed to provide support and enhance careers for underrepresented faculty.

Our Faculty Development Programs

Connecting the Community

UC San Diego School of Medicine builds its community on the strength of its diversity and connectivity.

  • Affinity groups unite students, trainees and employees from common backgrounds so they can honor and share their culture and experiences with fellow students and colleagues.
  • Annual celebrations — such as Dia De Los Muertos, the Native American Blanket Ceremony, Rainbow Pinning Ceremony and more — are opportunities to commemorate and discover a variety of traditions.
  • Faculty development programs and University staff affiliate programs promote a work culture of equity, diversity and inclusion.

5 people holding up colorful event items

Addressing Health Disparities through Research

A significant portion of our research is focused on reducing health inequities and promoting inclusion.

2 scientists in a lab
gloved hands holding test tubes