Physician Assistant Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Program Statement

The D’Youville University PA program is dedicated to fostering and promoting a learning environment for students, faculty, and staff that embraces diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.  We recognize that promoting these values is essential to prepare compassionate, culturally sensitive Physician Assistants who can effectively serve in underserved communities. We are aligned with the University's institutional priorities, including enriching educational excellence in an equitable and inclusive environment (priority 1), expanding opportunity and community impact (priority 3), and the School of Health Professions goal of fostering and promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. 

We are committed to: 

Diversity:

We use ARC-PA's definition of diversity. As defined by ARC-PA diversity is the differences within and between groups of people that contribute to variations in habits, practices, beliefs, and/or values. The inclusion of different people (including but not limited to gender and race/ethnicity, age, physical abilities, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status) in a group or organization is an essential component of the definition. Diversity includes all the ways in which people differ, and it encompasses all the different characteristics that make one individual or group different from the another (Accreditation Standards for Physician Assistant Education. 5th edition. Published November 2019).  We strive to promote a culture of diversity.

Equity:

Ensuring fair opportunities for all students, faculty, and staff, regardless of their background, socioeconomic status, or any other characteristic. We strive to eliminate disparities and create a culture of equitable practice.

Inclusion:

Creating a welcoming and inclusive environment where every individual student, faculty, and staff feels valued, respected, and supported. We encourage open communication, collaboration, and the exchange of ideas among individuals from various backgrounds and experiences.

Belonging:

Nurturing a sense of belonging within our community by fostering a culture of empathy, understanding, and support. We aim to create a space where everyone feels empowered to grow personally and professionally.

Our program is dedicated to continuous self-assessment and improvement.  We  actively seek to offer an innovative curriculum and engage with our community to cultivate culturally sensitive healthcare professionals.  We aspire to contribute to a more socially just and equitable healthcare system.

   

PA Program DEI Goal: To foster a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment, the Physician Assistant program will recruit and retain qualified and diverse students, faculty, and staff, to enrich educational excellence and enhance the student experience, and otherwise promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Program Goal 1 Outcome Data:

  • Student Admission and Matriculant data, Student Attrition 
  • Faculty Demographic Profile Data, Retention Data
  • Staff Demographic Profile Data, Retention Data

Example Measures:

  • Impact of revised admission rubric
  • Assess student demographics prior to implementation of updated rubric versus student demographics after implementation of updated rubric.
  • Faculty and staff attendance at institutional offerings on topics such as cultural awareness, sensitivity, and inclusivity in teaching, mentoring, and support practices.
  • Assess impact of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Committee comprising of students, faculty, alumni, community members, and staff members to oversee the implementation and progress DEIB of the program.

PA Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Committee

The PA DEIB committee is dedicated to fostering an innovative, inclusive, and collaborative health education environment.  Our charge is to identify areas of improvement related to curricular offerings, clinical practice, community service, and professional development.  Our work aligns with the core values of the School of Health Professions:

  • Academic excellence achieved through integration of evidence-based practices in teaching, scholarship, and professional practice.
  • Community engagement demonstrated by our active advocacy, community partnerships, volunteerism, and service regionally and globally.​
  • Social justice exemplified by our shared commitment to cultural humility, inclusivity, and accessibility.
D'Youville University PA Lab

PA Program Committee on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging students, faculty, and staff strive to:

  • Support a diverse student body, faculty, and staff composition
  • Assess campus resources and program needs via a survey to address student, faculty, and staff experience with respect to perception and experience
  • Incorporate and assess the ways in which social determinants of health are woven throughout the curriculum
  • Attend DEIB trainings offered by the institution
  • Identify and secure clinical rotations in medically underserved populations
  • Strengthen the holistic admissions process
  • Promote participation in student support programs such as the HRSA Health Careers Opportunity Program (HCOP), CSTEP, and/or HEOP
  • Collaborate with administration
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