Study Finds Limited Success for Faculty Diversity Efforts at U.S. Medical Schools

medical-symbolHistorically, Blacks and other minorities have been significantly underrepresented on the faculty of U.S. medical schools. Minority faculty have been less likely than White faculty to be promoted to senior positions and are less likely to receive research grants.

As a result of these disparities, many U.S. medical schools created faculty diversity initiatives. But a new study by researchers at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania, finds that these faculty diversity efforts at U.S. medical schools have had only limited success. Researchers examined data from the Association of American Medical Colleges and faculty rosters at all U.S.-based medical schools.

The results showed that from 2000 to 2010, the percentage of underrepresented minorities on U.S. medical school faculties increased from 6.8 percent to 8 percent. Black faculty increased only slightly, from 3.2 percent to 3.4 percent. The percentage of minorities among newly hired faculty increased from 9.4 percent to 12.1 percent during the period. Minorities were 6.3 percent of the newly promoted faculty members in 2000. This figure rose to 7.9 percent in 2010.

The authors of the study concluded, “Although it is clear that efforts to enhance diversity and inclusion are increasing, it is not clear whether minority faculty development programs are effective in general at enhancing the recruitment and retention of underrepresented minority faculty.”

The article, “Minority Faculty Development Programs and Underrepresented Minority Faculty Representation at US Medical Schools,” was published in the December 4 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. The research may be accessed here.

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Get the JBHE Weekly Bulletin

Receive our weekly email newsletter delivered to your inbox

Latest News

Cheyney University of Pennsylvania Placed on Accreditation Probation

The Middle States Commission on Higher Education stated that the university fell short in meeting requirements in financial planning and budget processes and compliance with laws, regulations, and commission policies.

Two Black Women Scholars Who Are Taking on New Assignments in Higher Education

Penelope Andrews was appointed the John Marshall Harlan II Professor of Law at New York Law School and Angela D. Dillard, the Richard A. Meisler Collegiate Professor of Afroamerican and African Studies at the University of Michigan, was given the added duties of the inaugural vice provost for undergraduate education.

Tuskegee University Partners With Intel to Boost Black Presence in the Semiconductor Industry

Participating Tuskegee students will have a chance to gain hands-on skills in engineering design, semiconductor processing, and device fabrication technologies and an overall valuable experience working in the microelectronics cleanroom fabrication facility at Tuskegee University.

K.C. Mmeje Honored by the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) Foundation

K.C. Mmeje is vice president for student affairs at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. The NASPA Pillars of the Profession Award acknowledges remarkable individuals within the student affairs and higher education community who demonstrate exceptional contributions to both the profession and the organization.

Featured Jobs