2023 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Health Equity Symposium

“If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.” 

This quote highlights the power to effect change in the world.  Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s words remind us about the importance of not just moving but moving forward.  During times where many believed we were paralyzed by a pandemic mindset, we learned that we must move forward.  In times of complex injustices and racist remorse, we are moving forward. Where bigotry and obstinance continue to serve as the comparative – we valiantly move forward to transform the narrative.  As we honor the wisdom of the message, the Office of Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity (OIDE) encourages everyone to move forward while we ACT (Action for Cultural Transformation) against racism, intentionally promote racial justice, and implement social equity toward a sustainable impact on our community and culture.  

Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, MD, MPH, FACEP for an empowering 2023 Martin Luther King Jr. Health Equity Symposium.

Watch the recording
 

Our Commitment

Lasting commitment is born of genuine appreciation for that which we aspire to be. Penn Medicine’s commitment to inclusion and diversity is more than words echoing our evolving society; it is a commitment backed by actions and accountability that are the foundation of our eminence, core values, and the strategic priorities that drive how we discover, educate, and serve the world.

Penn Medicine’s five-year strategic plan crafted in 2013, Shaping the Future of Medicine, defined our priorities; one of which was the creation of the Office of Inclusion, Diversity and Equity (OIDE). Our efforts are aimed at continuing the support of diverse faculty, staff, and students, and the several innovative programs that advance our initiatives and values. Our charge is to continue exploring opportunities to embrace diversity and broaden access to people of all ethnicities, historical traditions and economic backgrounds, genders, religions and disabilities, and respecting sexual orientation and veteran status.

We are at a pivotal moment in our nation’s history and in our institution. The pandemic we are currently facing conflated with the recent murders of Black men and women by law enforcement entrusted to serve and protect, and subsequent uprisings have shined a light on the many problems deeply engrained in our society and by extension, the medical community. The Office of Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity, in partnership with many other entities across Penn Medicine, is dedicated to changing the culture and breaking down barriers for not only employees but the patients we serve and the community at large. As physicians, scientists, staff, students, and educators, we are in a unique position to lead but we need the entire community to come together to do so. I urge you to visit our site often and let us share in this commitment with you to create sustainable change.
 

Virtual PSOM Community Dialogue on Racism, Racial Justice, and Social Equity

Read the summary  Watch the recording
 

Office of Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity: Action for Cultural Transformation Annual Reports

 

The Perelman School of Medicine Plan for Inclusion & Diversity: Five-Year Diversity Plan FY19-FY24

Five-Year Strategic Plan
 

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