Office for Health Equity and Inclusion
Working Toward Inclusion, Diversity and Cultural Sensitivity

The Office for Health Equity and Inclusion develops mechanisms for inclusion, diversity and cultural sensitivity among faculty, students and staff at Michigan Medicine. OHEI advances clinical care for under-served patient populations through research and education.

 Diverse group of people wearing blue shirts shown from behind with arms around each other
Our Mission

To honor the wellbeing, individuality and dignity of all who work, learn and heal at Michigan Medicine

To champion diversity and inclusion for our patients, our community and society

To diversify the next generation of physicians, nurses, health professionals and scientists

Man with glasses showing leg-bone function to group of Black boys and young men wearing masks and maize t-shirts with text: Youth Summit at the Big House
Female and male black doctors laughing with seated elderly white female patient
Our Vision

To create a world where every person feels valued and can thrive

Meet the OHEI Team

The faculty and staff at OHEI are here to help you navigate diversity, equity, and inclusion at Michigan Medicine. We are here to provide support to the people we serve: our colleagues, patients we care for, and learners who entrust their education to us.

Visit the OHEI Team page to learn more.

Collage of the diverse faces of OHEI at Michigan Medicine staff
Upcoming DEI Events
Take a Nature Break with Nature Rx- Morning Event
Take a break and learn more about the benefits of nature for well-being and healing through Michigan’s own Nature Rx program! Meet at one of two hospital locations, then navigate to the Arb–or meet at the Arb. After a mini-session on what Nature Rx is and how to navigate the app, we will head outside. Participants will have an opportunity to practice activities to direct focus to nature and experience its benefits.
Program for Equity in Adolescent and Child Health (PEACH) work-in-progress session
Maria Shakour Skoczylas, MD, a clinical assistant professor in Pediatrics-Hospitalists, will present on her project exploring whether newborns are equitably drug screened.
Take a Nature Break with Nature Rx- Afternoon Event
Take a break and learn more about the benefits of nature for well-being and healing through Michigan’s own Nature Rx program! Meet at one of two hospital locations, then navigate to the Arb–or meet at the Arb. After a mini-session on what Nature Rx is and how to navigate the app, we will head outside. Participants will have an opportunity to practice activities to direct focus to nature and experience its benefits.
LGBTQ+ Parents' Experiences Accessing Health Care for their Children with Developmental Disabilities
In this Bioethics Grand Rounds, Emilee Coulter-Thompson, DrPH, LMSW presents published research on the impact of health care bias and discrimination on LGBTQ+ parents' and their children with developmental disabilities in the U.S. This event is hosted by the U-M Center for Bioethics and Social Sciences in Medicine (CBSSM), and continuing education credits are available.
emilee
Pride Pin Initiative, School of Nursing
This event will explore how wearing Pride Pins in a healthcare setting have impacted patient’s experiences based on anonymous student submissions.
MICHR Community Engagement Showcase: Connecting Academics & Communities in Research
Learn how we support you in building bridges, breaking barriers, and connecting through partnered research.
Advancing Women in Internal Medicine
This event aims to identify some of the unique challenges women in academic medicine face with regard to professional advancement and success, to equip attendees with the ability to serve as effective allies and champions for women in medicine, to facilitate skill development in areas such as leadership, negotiation, and self-promotion, and provide opportunities for networking and community building.
Informed, Empowered, and Enabled: Understanding the Intersection of Reproductive Health Equity in Women with Physical Disabilities
A talk will be given by Dr. Kalpakjian followed by facilitated discussion of her work and issues of equity. Articles will be provided ahead of time to familiarize the audience with the topic.
Racial disparities in Prostate Cancer and Skin Cancer
Panel discussion with Michigan Medicine providers and patients discussing men’s health as it relates to gaps in care and recommendations for equitable care in prostate cancer and skin cancer.