Health Professions Diversity Award Recognizes Commitment to Inclusion
TouroCOM is Increasing Underrepresented Minorities in Medicine, Training Physicians to Practice in Underserved Communities
New York, N.Y. – Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine Harlem (TouroCOM) has received the 2016 Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education.
As a recipient of the Health Professions HEED Award — a national honor recognizing U.S. medical, dental, pharmacy, osteopathic, nursing, and allied health schools that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion — TouroCOM will be featured in the December 2016 issue of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine.
"The Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine is committed to increasing the number of underrepresented minorities in medicine and training physicians to practice medicine in underserved communities,” said Kenneth J. Steier, DO, executive dean at TouroCOM. “This is our mission. We are very grateful to receive this award in recognition of our efforts to increase diversity and inclusion."
Martin Diamond, DO, founding dean of TouroCOM, said, “Harlem is also grateful for this recognition. It was always our hope that in time we would make a difference in diversity in our community."
INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine selected TouroCOM for its mission, which at its core involves recruiting underrepresented minority (URM) students with the participation of faculty, administration, current students as well as the school’s Community Advisory Board.
“The fruit of these collective efforts is evidenced in our results, which we are very proud to share,” said Nadege Dady, Ed.D., dean of student affairs, who said TouroCOM has graduated 84 Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine who are URMs, beginning with its first graduating class in 2011. Additionally, Dean Dady noted over half of the school’s graduates have gone on to become primary care/family practice physicians. “We are also grateful to be supported by our Community Advisory Board in its fundraising efforts on behalf of TouroCOM’s URM Scholarship Fund, resulting in a total of $175,000.00 raised to date.”
Lenore Pearlstein, publisher of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, said the Health Professions HEED Award process consists of a comprehensive and rigorous application that includes questions relating to the recruitment and retention of students and employees — and best practices for both — continued leadership support for diversity, and other aspects of campus diversity and inclusion.
“We take a holistic approach to reviewing each application in deciding who will be named a HEED Award recipient. Our standards are high, and we look for institutions where diversity and inclusion are woven into the work being accomplished every day across their campus,” she said.
For more information about the 2016 Health Professions HEED Award, visit www.insightintodiversity.com.
About the Touro College and University System
Touro is a system of non-profit institutions of higher and professional education. Touro College was chartered in 1970 primarily to enrich the Jewish heritage, and to serve the larger American and global community. Approximately 18,000 students are currently enrolled in its various schools and divisions. Touro College has 30 campuses and locations in New York, California, Nevada, Berlin, Jerusalem and Moscow. New York Medical College; Touro University California and its Nevada branch campus; Touro University Worldwide and its Touro College Los Angeles division; as well as Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, Ill. are separately accredited institutions within the Touro College and University System. For further information on Touro College, please visit www.touro.edu/news
About INSIGHT Into Diversity
INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine is the largest and oldest diversity publication in higher education today and is known for its annual Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award, the only award recognizing colleges and universities for outstanding diversity and inclusion efforts across their campuses. In addition to its online job board, INSIGHT Into Diversity presents timely, thought-provoking news and feature stories on matters of diversity and inclusion across higher education and beyond. Articles include interviews with innovators and experts, as well as profiles of best practices and exemplary programs. Readers will also discover career opportunities that connect job seekers with institutions and businesses that embrace a diverse and inclusive workforce. Current, archived, and digital issues of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine are available online at www.insightintodiversity.com.
