An Opportunity to Live Our Values While Serving the Community
PAEA stands with our partners in the Federation of Associations of Schools of the Health Professions (FASHP) in declaring the low number of historically underrepresented men of color (HUMOC) graduating and entering the health professions a national crisis.
Factors like race, gender, sexual orientation, and religion should not be barriers to pursuing a career in medicine; yet we know that disparities exist across the health professions. Evidence has shown that a lack of diversity in the health professions bears significant negative consequences on public health outcomes and the availability and quality of health care treatment.
In order to make a meaningful and lasting change, it is essential to treat the root of this issue. Bringing equity, diversity, and inclusion to health care must start with efforts to provide all people equal access to schools and training programs along with the supports to help all qualified students successfully graduate.
PAEA has joined with our FASHP partners to urgently call attention to this important concern. Partnerships likes these will direct the resources, collective will, and influence to make a difference and move toward a society where HUMOC have equal representation in health care. This is an opportunity to make a real difference.
At PAEA, we believe that each day brings a new opportunity to advance our core values, including equity, diversity, and inclusion. One path toward reaching our vision of “Health for all” is a health care workforce that looks like the people they serve. PAEA remains committed to our vision and mission and we will remain at the forefront of these issues.
As CEO of this organization, I am proud of the work that we have done and look forward to the road ahead. Our board, staff leaders, and team are committed to working with our membership to create an unconditionally inclusive educational environment.
