UNC Health and UNC School of Medicine are committed to health equity for all. In an effort to identify and address systemic disparities that have prevented equitable access to healthcare in the past, a number of new and existing funds have been created and highlighted to increase support for this vital need in our communities and across our state.
In addition to other initiatives such as the School of Medicine’s STAHR program and the long-running MED program, these funds will impact students, faculty and staff in Chapel Hill and across the UNC Health system.
Bolstered by the leadership of Nate Thomas, PhD, Vice Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at the School of Medicine and Audrea Caesar, PhD, UNC Health Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer, as well as working groups such as UNC Health’s Black Alliance Employee Resource Group, the critical mission of equity and inclusion for all can become a reality in our state.
Support for our Health Equity Program will address the systemic disparities in health care through three key avenues – student/faculty recruitment, patient care and access, and research.
STUDENT/FACULTY RECRUITMENT – These funds and scholarships are aimed at providing new and enhanced opportunities for those underrepresented in medicine while also allowing the School of Medicine to more effectively recruit students to underrepresented programs.
PATIENT CARE/ACCESS – These funds will support health equity strategic initiatives across the UNC Health system. Of particular focus initially will be the opportunity to provide food, nutrition education and wellness information to patients and their families who might otherwise go without as well as expanding healthcare access to rural communities.
RESEARCH – These funds will support ongoing research into health disparities. The mission of the Center for Health Equity Research (CHER) is to bring together collaborative, multidisciplinary teams of scholars and community members to improve health and healthcare in underserved communities through a shared commitment to equity, innovation and translational research.
For more information on how to support diversity, equity and inclusion at UNC Health and the UNC School of Medicine, contact Kathryn Hunter, Associate Director of Development, or Martin Baucom, Vice President for Development.