Charles Whitten, MD, associate dean for special programs, was presented with a Special Recognition Award at the annual meeting of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) in November. The AAMC’s Group on Student Affairs-Minority Affairs Section honored Dr. Whitten for his history of leadership in addressing minority issues in medical education.
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Dr. Whitten (left) is presented with a plaque from AAMC President Dr. Jordan Cohen (right). |
The legend on the plaque presented to Dr. Whitten reads:
"We commend you for the conceptualization, development and continuing leadership of an insightful and innovative post baccalaureate program to address the underrepresentation of minorities in the medical profession. Now in its 30th year, your model program has enabled 160 black and 51 other racial/ethnic students from disadvantaged families who were inadequately prepared and previously justifiably rejected to enter and graduate from the Wayne State University School of Medicine."
"Think of it--that’s 211 medical graduates who otherwise would not have been admitted to medical school," said AAMC President Dr. Jordan Cohen when presenting the award. "What a legacy this is; what an incredible contribution he has made."
The program was the first such initiative in the nation and now is considered a national model for success. In the 17 year period from 1981-1997, WSU led the 125 US medical schools (exclusive of Howard and Meharry) in the total number of black graduates and 1/3 of them had entered through the post-baccalaureate program.
Dr. Whitten celebrated 40 years as a member of the WSU School of Medicine faculty this year. He served 16 years as associate dean for curriculum before entering semi-retirement in 1993. He is now professor emeritus and one of the only 15 WSU faculty who have been named "distinguished professor."
In accepting the award, Dr. Whitten expressed concern that many medical schools use their resources to provide financial incentives for the traditionally qualified black students to enroll in their school--a practice which doesn’t address societal needs. "At WSU, we have used our resources to expand the grossly inadequate pool of black students who could be successful in medical school," he said.
In addition, Dr. Whitten noted that the program is exclusively for students who come from disadvantaged backgrounds. "In establishing the criteria, I was addressing a personal concern over circumstantial inequities. I am the beneficiary of an advantaged background," said Dr. Whitten. "However, there are many, many students who are victims of their backgrounds and circumstances, which undermine their ability to be academically competitive. I wanted to create an enabling opportunity for them to be successful."