Members of the Geisel community gathered in the Kellogg Hall mezzanine for a special event on Tuesday, January 16 as Lenore Pearlstein, president and co-owner of Potomac Publishing, Inc., and co-publisher of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, presented the 2023 Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award to the Geisel School of Medicine. This award recognizes Geisel for its robust diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) infrastructure across campus, numerous efforts designed to provide education and training opportunities for the next generation of doctors, basic science researchers, health scientists, and rural initiatives that improve access to care for all in the communities the school serves.
The Health Professions HEED Award is a national honor recognizing U.S. health colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion. It marks the first time that Geisel has been selected for this award, which is presented annually by INSIGHT Into Diversity, the largest and oldest magazine dedicated to diversity and inclusion in higher education today. The award reviews information relating to schools’ recruitment and retention programs for underrepresented students and employees, DEl best practices, leadership support, supplier diversity, and many other aspects of campus diversity and inclusion.
“There are 158 accredited MD-granting schools in the U.S. Only 17 of them are HEED award winners, meaning you (Geisel) rank in the top 10% of medical schools recognized for their outstanding overall commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion,” said Pearlstein. “Geisel ranks in the top tier of all medical schools academically, but as a national HEED Award winning institution, you are now a DEl role model to every health professions school across the U.S.”
Erika Brown, PhD, dean of faculty affairs at Geisel, accepted the award on behalf of the school, thanking Pearlstein for traveling to Dartmouth to present the award in-person and participating in Geisel’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Day events.
“We are acutely aware of the efforts our school makes to support diversity, equity, inclusion and ‘the Big B—belonging (DEIB),’” said Brown. “This award signifies that the academic community is also aware and celebrates the efforts of our Geisel community.
“I sincerely acknowledge Dr. Lisa McBride, our associate dean of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, and the entire DICE (Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Engagement) team on their efforts to amplify DEIB and education in areas of opportunity that were identified to make Geisel an even more outstanding school to matriculate and serve.”
“Though we still have work to do, this recognition validates our efforts as we continue our journey towards a more diverse and equitable community, where everyone can experience a sense of belonging,” said McBride as she thanked members of the community for their commitment and contributions. “This honor is a testament to the collective dedication of numerous individuals within our institution, spanning from the Dean's Office and beyond, all working tirelessly to create a welcoming and supportive environment. I am so grateful to our students, faculty and staff who are so dedicated to creating a school of true belonging, and we will continue to work each day to maintain our focus on inclusive excellence— which melds inclusiveness and academic excellence into one concept.”
Founded in 1797, the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth strives to improve the lives of the communities it serves through excellence in learning, discovery, and healing. The Geisel School of Medicine is renowned for its leadership in medical education, healthcare policy and delivery science, biomedical research, global health, and in creating innovations that improve lives worldwide. As one of America’s leading medical schools, Dartmouth’s Geisel School of Medicine is committed to training new generations of diverse leaders who will help solve our most vexing challenges in healthcare.
