Welcome

Through the 2011 inauguration of the Office and Associate Dean for Faculty and Diversity, the UTHSCSA School of Medicine (SOM) announced its dedication to excellence in serving our school, health sciences institution and greater community through this commitment to faculty, professional development, diversity, inclusion and health equity. Leading this exciting effort to build a supportive infrastructure and environment that fosters, values and optimizes "all things" faculty and diversity is also helping to open our gateway to the future and maximize our institution's role in South Texas and beyond.

Through my office and active representation, our SOM has developed a rapport with Texas-wide diversity initiatives, University of Texas System faculty and diversity efforts, and the three Association of American Medical Colleges' groups specifically advocating for biomedical faculty and diversity across the U.S. and Canada: the Group on Faculty Affairs (GFA), the Group on Diversity and Inclusion (GDI) and the Group on Women in Medicine and Science (GWIMS). I am delighted to chair our SOM Diversity Committee whose membership includes faculty, staff, students, and house staff eager to insure that our health science center's core value of diversity is manifest across all facets of the SOM mission.

The SOM is undergoing a vital cultural transformation through which natural strengths in diversity and inclusion are embraced and celebrated and opportunity is grasped to expand diversity capacity across our institution. The UTHSCSA institutional vision views diversity as a core value and pervasive aspiration. Faculty development is crucial continuous quality enhancement. The SOM believes that the deepening richness of a diverse student, trainee and faculty body that reflects the diversity of South Texas will better meet community needs and build a legacy of success in biomedical education, research, service and community outreach. I welcome everyone to join me in contributing to this success and reaping the rewards.

Associate Dean for Faculty and Diversity