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Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Commitment to Diversity

The Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) is strongly committed to recruiting and retaining outstanding trainees from a variety of diverse backgrounds. This includes individuals from diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds; individuals from minority groups that are under-represented in science and medicine; first generation college graduates; students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds; women; and individuals with disabilities of all forms (learning, mental impairment, and physical). We recognize the specific challenges that students from these backgrounds and with any form of disability face on a daily basis as well as the special needs that they have. It is our goal as a program to create, foster and sustain an inclusive environment that provides equal opportunities for all members of our community.

Specific to applicants with disabilities: To ensure your access to this class and to the medical school program, students with disabilities may contact the ARS (accessibility@unc.edu). There you can engage in a confidential conversation about the process for requesting reasonable accommodations in the classroom and clinical settings. Accommodations are not provided retroactively. Students are encouraged to register with ARS as soon as they begin the program. More information can be found online at http://accessibility.unc.edu or by calling 919-962-8300.

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Resources for Applicants with Disabilities

The UNC MD-PhD Program recognizes that our training environment is positively enriched by trainees with diverse backgrounds and needs, and welcomes students with disabilities. We strive to create, foster and sustain an inclusive environment that incorporates Universal Design and that provides equal opportunities for all members of our community. Students from all backgrounds who are US citizens or permanent residents are encouraged to apply. Our program gives full consideration to all applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, veteran status, disability, national origin, creed, marital status, age, disability, gender identity or sexual orientation. We make every effort to ensure that qualified applicants can take full advantage of the programs available at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Applicants under consideration for admission to the MD-PhD Program may disclose a disability and request accommodation during the admission process. Disclosure is not required. Applicants who choose to disclose a disability during the admission process should write, call, or visit the MD-PhD Program Office (mdphd@med.unc.edu) to make arrangements.

Our policies and guidelines apply to students who self-identify a documented disability before or after formal acceptance as well as those who become disabled after enrollment. The School of Medicine and the MD-PhD Program encourages students with disabilities to identify themselves as easily as possible so that reasonable accommodations for which they may be eligible can be determined and provided through the Accessibility Resources and Service (ARS) office. Please keep in mind that the disclosure of a disability is completely voluntary and will be kept confidential. All enrolled students must possess the intellectual, physical and emotional capabilities described in the University of North Carolina’s School of Medicine Technical Standards for the Doctor of Medicine Degree (http://www.med.unc.edu/admit/requirements/requirements). Accommodations and assistive technologies will facilitate, but not eliminate, the need to meet these standards.

The UNC MD-PhD Program is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals who are disabled in compliance with Section 504 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, as well as applicable state regulations and federal and state privacy laws.

If you believe you may need and qualify for reasonable accommodations, please visit https://accessibility.unc.edu/ for detailed information and procedures. The knowledgeable staff in the Accessiblity Resources and Service (ARS) office serve UNC’s undergraduate, graduate and professional students, trainees, employees, and faculty as well as the public, in support of The University of North Carolina efforts to ensure an accessible, hospitable working and learning environment for people with disabilities. Through ARS, UNC ensures consistent processes for requesting accommodations, evaluating needs, and determining appropriate response, and the ARS serves as a clearinghouse for disability-related information, procedures and services available at UNC, in Chapel Hill and in North Carolina.

Advocates for Inclusion in Medicine & Science

UNC Advocates for Inclusion in Medicine and Science is a student organization at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill which has been founded for the purpose of promoting the success, recognition, and excellence of women and minorities in academic medicine and medical research. Further, we seek to understand the underrepresentation of women and minorities in MD-PhD programs and advocate for their success.

We strive to achieve these goals through:

  1. Educating our peers and community on the barriers faced by women and minorities in academic medicine and research through article discussions and book clubs
  2. Providing our members with practical career development skills through workshops
  3. Creating vertical professional networks to foster mentor and sponsor relationships with successful faculty
  4. Mentoring current undergraduates to encourage more women and minorities to pursue dual degree careers
  5. Creating peer networks to facilitate future collaborations and support through an annual Southeast Symposium.

Through these activities we hope to stimulate thought, discussion, and start a conversation on what we can all do to change the status quo.

While this group is focused on the MD-PhD career track, our events are open to all graduate and medical students.

For more information please visit the UNC AIMS website.

Bridge Builders

Dismantling Racism through Education and Discussion

In partnership with the Advocates for Inclusion in Medicine and Science (AIMS)

The purpose of this seminar is to create intentional time and space to discuss the ongoing racial tensions in the U.S. and their impact on our personal and professional lives.  In order to continue these conversations and more, the seminar meets once a month, typically on the last Thursday on Zoom. The seminar is designed to run through June 2021 with topics ranging from higher education to mass incarceration to implicit biases in healthcare.

Chancellor’s Science Scholars MD-PhD Summer Experience

CMSE

In partnership with the UNC Chancellor’s Science Scholars

Rising Junior and Senior Undergraduates students in the Chancellor’s Science Program who are interested in MD-PhD training are encouraged to apply to this Summer Program. Students are placed in research labs, provided clinical opportunities, and paired with a current MD-PhD student for mentorship throughout the Summer. CMSE participants are invited to the Research Rotation Talks, given by our MS1 and MS2s, and present their research as well. We want to foster a fulfilling learning experience for prospective undergraduate MD-PhD students and provide them with resources to prepare them for applying to Dual Degree Programs.

HBCU Day

The UNC MD-PhD Program Leadership Participates in North Carolina HBCU Day each Fall.

“The mission of HBCU day is to expose students currently matriculating through North Carolina’s historically black colleges and universities to biomedical research programs at The University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. It is our sincerest hope that students who attend the event will be inspired to apply to the programs at UNC in the future.”

You can register for this event here.