By Chris Carmody
Nov. 17, 2022 | LITTLE ROCK — The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) has again been chosen as a recipient of the Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education.
UAMS is among 63 recipients that will be featured in the magazine’s December issue. The university first received the INSIGHT Into Diversity honor in 2021.
The national award recognizes health colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion. UAMS received the additional honor of being named a “Diversity Champion,” having scored in the top tier of all HEED Award winners.
HEED Award recipients go through an application process that includes questions about their recruitment and retention of students and employees, leadership support for diversity, and other aspects of campus diversity and inclusion. Lenore Pearlstein, publisher of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, said the publication rigorously reviews each application and maintains a high standard for the institutions it chooses.
UAMS’ application highlighted its student- and employee-led organizations that work to make the campus a more inclusive place for veterans, individuals with disabilities and members of the LGBTQ community. It also noted the university’s commitment to making health care careers attainable for students across Arkansas, especially those from underrepresented or underserved groups. Outreach initiatives serve children from kindergarten through 12th grade as well as students in undergraduate programs.
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