Diversity Vision, Mission and Values

The Office of Diversity Education and Research is responsible for implementing, sustaining, and evaluating structured programs that attract and retain students, trainees, and faculty from diverse backgrounds who are interested in medicine and biomedical research. The Office provides a nurturing and supportive environment that cultivates the next generation of diverse leaders in medicine, biomedical research, and public health. The Office supports an array of programs that advance the College of Medicine’s diversity mission.

Diversity Vision

We envision SUNY Downstate as a model for recruiting, retaining, and promoting the most talented and diverse student body, faculty, and staff. We aspire to transform academic medicine through curricular innovations that will produce the next generation of compassionate healers, innovative scientists and health equity and social justice advocates.

Diversity Mission

Diversity and inclusion are catalysts for establishing excellence in medical education, providing culturally responsive clinical care, conducting cutting-edge research, and fostering trust and engaging community partnerships. We are committed to attracting, recruiting, and retaining the most talented and diverse study body, faculty, and administrative staff. We embrace a broad view of diversity that cuts across, but is not limited to, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, language, culture, religious practices, socioeconomic background, and life experiences. Our mission is to:

• Attract and retain the most talented and diverse students, trainees, faculty, administrative leaders, and staff
• Cultivate a nurturing and inclusive environment in which everyone feels safe, supported and valued
• Sustain supportive learning environments that promote excellence and enable all members to thrive academically and achieve their personal best

Diversity Values

• Embrace similarities that bind us as humans and as one community
• Celebrate a diversity of ideology, perspectives, experiences, and cultural identities
• Respect differences and respond with openness and a willingness to learn
• Engage in self-reflection on our own internal biases and seek opportunities to share, learn, and grow