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Wayne State University rightfully prides itself on its diversity. The university – and its medical school, in particular – has a longstanding commitment to promoting and celebrating diversity among the faculty, staff and students.

With its students coming from such a wide variety of geographic, socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds, the WSU School of Medicine has instituted a one-day program to help classmates better understand each other and the benefits of a diverse learning environment. The program, titled Diversity Day, was established three years ago as part of the school’s new medical student orientation activities.

Coordinated by the WSU Office of Academic and Student Programs, with assistance from the National Conference for Community and Justice, Diversity Day places students in a series of small-group activities designed to facilitate an open and honest dialogue about how personal values, beliefs, assumptions and experiences affect their attitudes about themselves and others.

According to Georgia Wilder, director of co-curricular programs and one of the architects behind Diversity Day, such a program is especially important in the medical field, where cultural misunderstandings can have such adverse effects.

“The understanding of differences among people and cultures is an ongoing process for medical professionals,” Wilder said. “Diversity Day sets the tone for personal and professional growth for years to come.”

David Edelman, now a fourth-year medical student and Diversity Day facilitator, was a member of the first class to experience the program three years ago. In addition to the broader cultural understandings it fosters, Edelman appreciates oneon- one interactions Diversity Day allows.

“The program gives all the incoming students a chance to interact with each other and really get to know everyone,” Edelman said. “I guess for me, what I got out of being a facilitator is that I am still learning. I enjoyed all the personal stories and experiences that everyone shared with me.”

Notes

Honors

Rounds

Continuing Medical Education

Women's Health Lecture Series