Purpose:

This award acknowledges and celebrates individual faculty engaged in efforts that create a more inclusive institutional culture that promotes success for all.  It also recognizes efforts to advance the understanding of health equity, health disparities, cultural competency in medicine, and greater access and opportunities for surrounding community.

Description:

Faculty recipients for this award include those with a record of excellence in fostering leadership and commitment to diversity, inclusion and health equity by expanding opportunities for diverse students, staff, faculty, residents/fellows, and the surrounding community.  The award recognizes sustained contributions and an active commitment to promoting and enhancing the educational experience at the UMKC School of Medicine.  Consistent contributions in the areas of diversity, inclusion, cultural competency or health equity may include:

1. Recruiting and/or retaining a diverse student or faculty body;
2. Facilitating an inclusive environment of success for all;
3. Working to promote health equity and the elimination of health disparities; and
4. Strengthening efforts to develop or implement cultural competency strategies that improve healthcare delivery.

Eligibility:

Full and part time UMKC School of Medicine Faculty

Nomination guidelines and materials to be submitted by the deadline:

Please download and complete this checklist that is to be submitted as the first page of a single PDF nomination: 

https://umkc.box.com/s/s7i5u8hz5cnyi2559c9j60naou8r71x9

Nominees may be nominated by UMKC staff, faculty, students, residents/fellows, administrators, clinical affiliates or community members.  Self-nominations are also acceptable.

To be considered, the following information must be submitted:

1. A nomination letter explaining the nominee’s qualifications for the award which provides specific details and examples concerning sustained commitment to diversity and the impact of that commitment on medical education or a related area (as stated above) (not to exceed three double-spaced pages).
2. Each nominator may name one individual.
3. Nominator is encouraged to solicit up to 4 letters of support from those who have been influenced or could attest to the contributions of the nominee.
4. Nominee must provide a one-two-page description of their DEI philosophy, diversity – related program, initiative, or project.
5.   A current curriculum vitae (CV) for the nominee. The nominator must notify the nominee of the materials that the nominee needs to submit for consideration.

Prior Winners:

• 2022- Janette Berkley-Patton, Ph.D.
• 2021 – Liset Olarte, M.D.
• 2020 – Molly A. Uhlenhake, D.O.
• 2019 – Kathy Ervie, M.P.A.S., P.A.-C
• 2017 – Brianna Woods-Jaeger, M.D.
• 2016 – Fariha Shafi, M.D.