Diversity Profile
Affirmative Action Plan
The University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS) is committed to promoting educational and employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions) sexual orientation, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, covered veterans status or any other characteristic protected by law in admission, treatment, employment or in its programs, services and activities.
UMMS recognizes that in some areas of employment and education there is underutilization of women and underrepresented minorities based on the pool of available applicants. The UMMS affirmative action program encourages aggressive recruitment and selection practices to insure equal opportunity and nondiscrimination. To that end, UMMS will utilize strategies and goals to attract and advance talent that is representative of the local, regional and national demographics. We will make every effort to increase the presence of qualified women and underrepresented minorities at all levels of the organization among students, faculty and staff.
Diversity and Equal Opportunity Office
University of Massachusetts Medical School
55 Lake Avenue North
Worcester, MA 01655
Office Phone: 508 856-2179
TTY Phone: 508 856-6395
Fax: 508 856-181
The Diversity and Equal Opportunity Office (DEOO) is the principle vehicle to guide the implementation of our diversity and inclusion strategies and programs. However, all of us have a role in helping to achieve a high performing, inclusive learning community. Through the DEOO, a number of resources and services are available to help us create an organizational culture that maximizes the potential for diversity to achieve our vision of becoming one of the nation’s most distinguished academic health sciences center. The DEOO coordinates diversity programming and provides oversight of compliance for Affirmative Action/EEO and ADA policies. We mediate and resolve conflicts related to uncivil behavior, harassment and discrimination. These policies and procedures are the foundation for managing a diverse workforce and creating a culture of civility and respect. Yet, managing diversity simply as human respect is not enough.
To achieve remarkable results and achieve our institutional mission, an inclusive organization must be created. We embrace diversity in its many dimensions and strive to create an organizational structure that meets the needs of every individual who makes up our community. Several diversity resource groups and university leadership positions exist within UMMS to drive our inclusion efforts. Diverse groups are a powerful force. They generate more ideas, make positive changes and help advance great institutions like UMMS.
I am confident that our efforts will “go plaid,” integrating diversity into our system, structure and the way we function. The DEOO staff thanks you for helping us advance our diversity and inclusion goals.
Deborah L. Plummer, Ph.D.
Vice Chancellor
Human Resources, Diversity and Inclusion
More on Diversity and Equal Opportunity staff.
Diversity is inherent in University of Massachusetts Medical School’s mission to advance the health and well-being of the people of the Commonwealth and the world through pioneering education, research and health care delivery. As an institution, we are preparing tomorrow’s physicians, nurses and scientists to serve and relate to a multicultural society by increasing representation of minorities and women in student, faculty and staff positions, improving the cultural competence of our workforce through diversity education, and building an inclusive culture where we learn from our differences.
Mission
Through consultation, regulation, education and collaboration, the Diversity and Equal Opportunity Office (DEOO) is a catalyst for an inclusive academic medical health sciences center comprised of a diverse faculty, staff and student body who possess the cultural competencies necessary to serve the people of the commonwealth and the world.
Vision
Diversity compels UMMS to lead in the development and implementation of innovative approaches to health sciences education, research and public service.
Diversity Strategy
Mentoring Circles
As a part of the UMMS Institutional Diversity Plan to support students from under representative groups, UMMS has launched a series of Mentoring Circles. The objective of Mentoring Circles is to provide a diverse group of medical and research students exposure to faculty who serve as “Mentors for a Day.” Students and faculty meet in a team-based setting that allows for informal dialogue, sharing, and learning across the circle. The program provides participants with enhanced professional growth, varied perspectives through peer and faculty mentoring, and an expanded network of colleagues. Learn more about Mentoring Circles here.
The Women's Faculty Committee
The Mission of the Women's Faculty Committee of UMMS/UMMHC is to address the needs of women faculty and promote the status of women in the University of Massachusetts Medical School and the UMass Memorial Health Care clinical system. Learn more about their goals here.
Council on Equal Opportunity and Diversity
The University of Massachusetts Medical School's (UMMS) mission focuses on achieving national distinction in health sciences education, research and public service. The University believes success in this mission is guided by principles that place the highest priority on respect for the dignity and diversity of the members of the Medical School community. In keeping with this commitment, UMMS has established the Council on Equal Opportunity and Diversity (CEOD), a standing committee that reports to the Chancellor. The CEOD has nine committees that report through it to make recommendations for a civil, inclusive and just organization. The committees that report through the CEOD and its executive committee are: the Minority Academic Advancement, Civility, International, ADA, Mature Workforce, GLBTA, Representation, Student Representation and Professional Women.
The CEOD and its committees serve in an advisory capacity to the Chancellor, as well as to the Diversity and Equal Opportunity Office. Wherever possible, the Council on Equal Opportunity and Diversity works in collaboration with its clinical partner, UMass Memorial Health Care.
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Allies (LGBTA) Committee
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UMMS is committed to positively impacting its surrounding community. We do this by supporting community programs and initiatives that advance the interests of both the medical school and the community by donations of in-kind services, volunteerism, and assisting and co-hosting various community events. 
The spirit of engagement that exists at UMMS is impressive. As an institution, we are deeply committed to enriching the surrounding communities. In this section of our Web site, you will find just a few of the compelling stories that illustrate the ways we are enhancing health and science education, ensuring community health,building a diverse workforce and enriching lives.
The Office of Community and Government Relations is committed to strengthening its relationships with public officials and community stakeholders, increasing visibility of the medical school throughout the region and increasing resources for the medical school’s initiatives.