Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Message from the Senior Associate Dean

Welcome to the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine. Our office supports the vision and mission of HMSOM to advance inclusive excellence and quality of care in medicine. The vision of the school states: “Each person in New Jersey, and in the United States, regardless of race or socioeconomic status, will enjoy the highest levels of wellness in an economically and behaviorally sustainable fashion.”

The vision underscores the need to address the disparities in health care and health outcomes experienced by historically marginalized and underserved communities in New Jersey and in the United States through innovative medical education and workforce development, clinical practice and research. There is overwhelming evidence that a medical education which integrates in the curriculum the social and structural underpinnings of disparities in health and includes diverse perspectives and experiences in the classroom produces a heath care workforce which improves healthcare quality and outcomes.

The office supports the educational, clinical practice and research efforts at HMSOM working towards the realization of the HMSOM vision through collaborative design and implementation of inclusive recruitment and support, education, and community building programs and activities. Medicine is a healing profession, and we believe in building a healing community and a restorative framework in our holistic education, student support, patient care and research practices. The programs and activities of the office to support this vision include:

• Advancing an inclusive pathway to careers in medicine through holistic recruitment and support of Students
• Contributing to educational programs focused on understanding social and structural determinants of health and promoting community inclusion
• Advancing innovation in community engagement across the education, clinical practice and research missions
• Advancing an inclusive and nurturing learning and working climate

Mekbib Gemeda, Ed.D.
Senior Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion