Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

A strong commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) is a fundamental value of the University, UPMC, and our department and is critical to achieving personal, professional, and organizational success. Our EDI Committee, leaders, faculty, and staff are all champions of these efforts.

As part of our mission, we are committed to the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion. Specifically, our EDI Committee aims to actively enhance the EDI of our faculty, staff, and students through innovative and evidence-based methods of recruitment, career development, retention, and advancement.

Equity

To process and promote fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement while striving to identify and eliminate barriers

Diversity

Any dimension that can be used to differentiate groups and people from one another. The broadest possible view of diversity, including seen and unseen qualities

Inclusion

A state of being valued, respected, and supported

EDI Framework is our strategy to grow and sustain a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable working and learning environment that improves our department, faculty, and staff, and others whom we serve. The Framework’s five pillars are:

Recruitment
Professional advancement and retention
EDI communication and education
Community outreach and engagement
Health disparity/inequity education and research

Updates:

November is Native American / American Indian Heritage Month! This month is devoted to honoring the lives, culture, and traditions of indigenous people. In celebrating Native American Heritage Month, we acknowledge that the land our community occupies was once home to people and cultures such as the Adena, the Hopewell, and the Monongahela. Our region’s history documents these communities, which represent the oldest recorded civilization in North America. They built thriving societies that lasted for generations, and we should pause to uplift those contributions and to commit to furthering understanding their legacy. We must also support the current members of our Native American/indigenous community and appreciate the rich diversity they bring to our learning experiences.