Diversity & Inclusion
Who We Are
PDI is led by Dr. Horace DeLisser, Associate Dean for Diversity & Inclusion. All faculty are available to students weekly during their PDI office hours.
All faculty in the Program for Diversity and Inclusion are involved in meeting the goals of the program as well as providing mentoring, advice and support for students and student groups.
Support for PDI's goals is also provided by full-time staff: Erika Dawson, Associate Director, and Dorothy Harris, Administrative Coordinator. They are here 8:30 am-4:30 pm to assist students. Stop by the Jordan Medical Education Center to meet us!
Horace DeLisser, MD
Associate Dean for Diversity & Inclusion
delisser[at]pennmedicine.upenn.edu
More about Horace DeLisser, MD
Undergraduate Education:
Temple University
Medical School Education:
University of Pennsylvania
Interests:
Leukocyte-endothelial and endothelial-endothelial cell interactions
Chronic pulmonary vascular disease
Ethics
Close
Sharon Lewis, MD
Faculty Director of Diversity Recruitment
sharon.lewis[at]pennmedicine.upenn.edu
More about Sharon Lewis, MD
Undergraduate Education:
University of Miami
Medical School Education:
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Other Graduate Education:
University of Pennsylvania (Residency and Fellowship)
Academic/Clinical/Research Interests:
I am a neuromuscular specialist but mainly practice general neurology
I want to make sure that there are available mentors for UIM students. Situations and experiences can be difficult at times and it is helpful to have someone to help you navigate through this. Some of these situations can be unique to UIM students and it may be beneficial to talk to someone who may have had a similar perspective or experience. I feel that I would not be here today without someone taking a special interest in me and I want to make sure I give back.
Close
Roy Hamilton, MD, MS, FAAN
Assistant Dean for Cultural Affairs & Diversity
roy.hamilton[at]pennmedicine.upenn.edu
More about Roy Hamilton, MD, MS, FAAN
Undergraduate Education:
Harvard University
Medical School Education:
Harvard Medical School
Other Graduate Education:
MIT (Master’s in Health Sciences & Technology)
Interests:
Diversity in academic medicine
Cognitive neurology
Cognitive neuroscience
Neuroplasticity
Noninvasive brain stimulation
Diversity shapes the contours of my life. As a person of mixed African American and Asian heritage, diversity is woven into my genealogy. As a former Jehovah’s Witness turned secular humanist who is raising a beautifully multi-ethnic Jewish family, diversity of ideas and ideals is etched into my spirit and informs my guiding beliefs. Moreover, as the only member of my working class family to become a physician, the first black member of my family to attend college, and the only child in a generation of Hamiltons to complete high school, my career development has been marked by a profound appreciation of the ways in which my experiences and upbringing differ from those of many of my peers. For all of these reasons, I am especially interested in helping those students who feel that their racial, ethnic, cultural, spiritual, or socioeconomic backgrounds pose special challenges for them as they navigate the arduous but ultimately rewarding path to becoming physicians.
Close
DaCarla Albright, MD
Assistant Dean for Wellness
dacarla.albright[at]pennmedicine.upenn.edu
More about DaCarla Albright, MD
Undergraduate Education:
Washington University in St. Louis
Medical School Education:
University of Michigan
Interests:
General obstetrics
Medical education
In my career, one of my greatest joys has been the time I have spent with students, discussing their lives and futures, mentoring them through the joys of medicine, as well as the difficult and challenging times. I strongly believe that as a physician, a strong foundation in wellness has a significant impact on our delivery of medicine and personal sense of professionalism. I hope to serve as a strong role model of humanism and wellness in this role.
Close
Cindy Christian, MD
Assistant Dean for Community Engagement
christian[at]email.chop.edu
More about Cindy Christian, MD
Undergraduate Education:
Bucknell University
Medical School Education:
Albany Medical College
Interests:
Child abuse and neglect
Pediatrics
Medical education
My career at PSOM and CHOP has been diverse and extremely satisfying professionally. As a pediatrician who specializes in child abuse and neglect, I have had important responsibilities in helping to protect some of society’s most vulnerable children locally and through state and national efforts. As an Assistant Dean in the Program for Diversity and Inclusion at PSOM, I have had the great pleasure of working with our enthusiastic and talented students, supporting their community volunteer work, and helping to support their career aspirations.
Close
Erika Dawson
Associate Director
edawson[at]upenn.edu
More about Erika Dawson
Undergraduate Education:
West Chester (PA) University
Other Graduate Education:
University of Pennsylvania (MS Ed, Intercultural Communication)
Interests:
https://www.pennmsg.com/erika-dawson
Close
Dorothy Harris
Administrative Coordinator
dyl[at]upenn.edu
More about Dorothy Harris
Interests:
https://www.pennmsg.com/dorothy-harris
Close
Diversity & Inclusion Student Advisory Committee (DISAC)
An essential component of the PDI is DISAC, a student advisory group composed of representatives from each class and our core cultural affinity groups. DISAC ensures that the voices of students are represented and serves as a means of communication between Perelman administration, cultural affinity groups, and the medical student body.
PDI works closely with the PSOM Offices of Admissions, Financial Aid, and Student Affairs, as well as collaborates with the Office of Inclusion and Diversity and the Alliance of Minority Physicians (AMP).