Our commitment to diversity in medicine

Learn about our pledge to supporting students and physicians from low-income and minority backgrounds

I’m writing today to share a concern that’s been heavily weighing on my heart and to make an announcement that I hope will serve as a foundation for great change within medicine for years to come.

It’s well known that individuals from low-income and ethnic minority backgrounds have long faced discrimination in our field. We’ve learned through course work and clinical and service experiences that health care access is unequal in our country. This is true with respect to the amount and quality of care received.

We also know that individuals from underrepresented backgrounds have historically faced greater obstacles to get into medical school and that, when they do become physicians, these individuals must overcome larger barriers to be promoted to leadership positions, where they can effect systemic changes.

Unfortunately, over the years, I have also observed concerning trends in my work in admissions that I believe are racially motivated. Specifically, when a student’s primary advisor is a member of an underrepresented minority group, I am much more likely to receive questions about their credentials, their experience working with students who are aiming for certain top schools, etc. I've received requests from parents to cancel services shortly after their child was assigned to work with an advisor from a minority background, even before their child spoke with their advisor for the first time. Some parents have even made jaw-dropping and explicit racist statements.

For a while, I didn’t share my knowledge of these issues because I didn’t want to rock the boat. I will no longer remain silent.

My parents immigrated to the United States with very little, were recipients of many racial slurs, and--I've witnessed this firsthand on several occasions--are routinely mocked for having an accent. I grew up with Tourette Syndrome, have been called “retard” by teachers, and have been told that I got into elite schools to meet a quota. I’ve experienced and observed how important it is not just for people from diverse backgrounds to be represented in academia and beyond, but also for their achievements to be valued the same. Without the latter, we are only making surface-level progress.

To address the lack of representation within medicine, we have decided to pledge $100,000 to initiatives that promote diversity over the next 12 months. Specifically, we will be donating to causes focusing on the recruitment and promotion of individuals from low-income and other minority backgrounds, providing pro bono services to families with low income, producing blog and video content for students who lack sufficient mentorship, and much more. Over the coming months, we’ll be making announcements about various initiatives to keep you in the loop.

While these issues are complex and long-term solutions require a greater collective effort, we are committed to doing our part. We’re grateful for the opportunity to serve you and the medical community at large.

Sincerely,
Dr. Shemmassian