Campus Groups & Activities
Fostering Diversity

Institutional Diversity Council
At UTMB, we are committed to employing and educating a workforce that mirrors the diverse populations we serve. We are also committed to creating an environment where everyone--regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, physical capability, religious affiliation, sexual orientation or cultural background--can be a productive member of the community and feel rewarded and respected for the part they play in the success of the institution. The Diversity Council is in place to support these objectives.
http://www.utmb.edu/diversitycouncil/

Office of Diversity & International Affairs
provides quality customer service to the UTMB community and promotes the University of Texas Medical Branch as an employer, hospital, research center and academic institution with great opportunities for everyone. Also, provides programs and services to enhance and facilitate the stay of international staff and students at UTMB. These programs are offered in support of institutional research, clinical, and educational endeavors. Professional services include, but are not limited to:

• Immigration advising and visa processing
• Orientation and education on matters relevant to the international population
• Support of cross-cultural activities and experiences
• Acting as liaison among university departments, government agencies, private organizations and the local community

ADA Committee
New group forming. Sponsored by Melvin Williams.

Clinical Diversity Council
David Marshall, Chair

CORE Committee for the support of Women
in operation since early 1998, was given its charge by the president of the university. The committee will be conducting various surveys to examine salary equity based on gender and measure a number of items regarding faculty satisfaction with UTMB to determine if females view the institution differently than males, among other things. Visit web site.

CORE Committee for the support of Minorities appointed in January 1998, also given its charge by the president of the university. The committee is examining available statistics regarding the diversity of the institution and has reviewed sections of the institution affirmative action plan. The committee is working with the CORE for Women to initiate an equity study for faculty and attempting to conduct an independent study for faculty regarding equity as it relates to salaries among administrators. This committee is also very interested in the overall issue of diversity on campus, students and employees. Visit web site.

Minority Faculty Council
 

Managing Diversity Training
http://intranet.utmb.edu/diversity/diversityspill.htm

Understanding Religious Diversity Task Force 
Hosts interfaith dialogues that explore intriguing and relevant topics. Discussions are open to all UTMB faculty, staff, students, and the Galveston community, and are sponsored by the UTMB Equal Opportunity and Diversity, Pastoral Care, and Human Resources Departments. 

Diversity Related Student Organizations

American Medical Women's Association (2005-2006)
President: Sarah Wakefield
Mission Statement: AMWA is an organization which functions at the local, national, and international level to advance women in medicine and improve women's health. We achieve this by providing and developing leadership, advocacy, education, expertise, mentoring, and strategic alliances.

Sponsored: Valentine’s Charity Ball to benefit the Residence - a home for expecting mothers who, due to medical requirements, need to stay close to the hospital (February)

Association of Women in Surgery

President: Vika Stager

Mission Statement:

Sponsored:

Baptist Student Ministry - BSM Website
President: Elizabeth Williford
Mission Statement: To provide Christian fellowship & outreach opportunities to the students of UTMB.

Catholic Medical Student Association - CMSA web site
President: Esteban Gonzalez
Mission Statement: The Catholic Medical Student Association is an organization seeking to promote spiritual & moral values, foster the development of spiritual life and worship, and provide an opportunity for students to share their experiences.

Catholic Newman Center  (2005-2006)
President: Sarah Wakefield

Mission Statement: The Galveston Newman Center provides a home for the students and members of the UTMB community in which they can strengthen their faith, develop their gifts, and growth into passionate, faithful, Catholic leaders.

Chinese Student Association - CSA web site (2005-2006)
President: Wei Guo
Mission Statement: The purpose of CSA is to promote the development of the Chinese community in Galveston, the preservation of the Chinese culture and the achievement of Chinese students and scholars.

Sponsored: Mid-Autumn Festival (September), Chinese New Year (January), National Research Symposium (May)

Christian Medical Association (2005-2006)
President: Bethany Shoemaker
Mission Statement: To provide a place where students can come together to worship, study God's word, fellowship, and reach out to others.

Frontera de Salud    Frontera web site
Chapter Co-Director: Paul Ford
Chapter Co-Director: Katie Goggin

Mission Statement: Frontera is a service organization founded and staffed by medical, nursing and allied health students committed to bringing primary health care to the underserved.

Sponsored: 6 trips to Brownsville, TX (2005-2006); clothing drive; conference focusing on health care for the uninsured and economically disadvantaged (April)

Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Straight Alliance
President: Ernie Aguilar
Mission Statement: To build community through social and educational activities.

Sponsoring: S.A.F.E. Project; PFLAG presentation

International Student Organization (2005-2006)
Co-Chair: Pavani Gangavarapu
Co-Chair: Sergio Santa Maria Guerra
Co-Chair: Abhisek Mukherjee
Co-Chair: Aimalohi Esechie
Mission Statement: To promote cultural exchange between members and motivate student participation in university activities.

Sponsored: International Food Contest (April)

Jewish Student & Faculty Organization
Co-President: Michelle Poliak
Co- President: Michael Margolis
Mission Statement: To promote religious & cultural awareness of Judaism throughout the UTMB campus.

Military Medical Student Association
President: Oliver Edwards 
Mission Statement: To create a support system where information can be passed down from year to year to help make a smooth transition into the military & prepare for a successful military career.

Multicultural Awareness Council (2005-2006)
Co-Chair: Markita Harris
Co-Chair: Chioma Agwaife
Co-Chair: Jenoveva Soriano
Mission Statement: To promote cultural awareness and tolerance among all members of the UTMB community with the specific goal of applying such insight to quality health care.

Muslim Medical Association (2005-2006)
President: Adnan Peer

Mission Statement: To provide religious and educational activity to the Muslim and general UTMB community.

QQD (Que Quiere Decir) Spanish Club   
President: Ben Katz

Mission Statement: To provide a relaxed atmosphere for health professional students to learn medical Spanish.

Sponsored: Spanish language Cafés; tutoring, S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Project

St. Vincent's House Free Clinic
Co-Director:  Amy Doss
Co-Director:  Mindy Phillips
Co-Director: Cully Wiseman
Co-Director: Jeffrey Cone
Mission Statement: To develop the cultural skills and professional attitudes of future physicians and physician assistants through the provision of quality care to Galveston's medically underserved men, women, and children.

Sponsored: Thursday and Saturday clinic experiences; Talent Show to benefit the clinic (March)

South Asian Student Association – INACTIVE

Student National Medical Association - SNMA Web Site
President: Jarmara Hice
Mission Statement: SNMA is committed to supporting current and future underrepresented minority medical students, addressing the needs of underserved communities, and increasing the number of clinically excellent, culturally competent and socially conscious physicians.

Sponsored: Black History Month TGIT; Movie Night – Something the Lord Made

Students Improving Global Health Together - SIGHT Web Site
Co-president: Omkar Dave
Co-president: Noelle Northcutt

Mission Statement: To address the medical needs of the global community by creating awareness of health disparities in underserved populations by supporting the development of solutions for health issues facing society and promoting clinical research opportunities to students concerned with the development of health care on a local, national, and international level.

United Latin American Medical Students
Co-President: Carlos Garza
Co-President: Salvador Medina

Mission Statement: ULAMS is committed to raising awareness of Hispanic health education and related issues pertaining to the medical school community as well as the patient population.

Sponsored: Hector P. Garcia luncheon (September); Hispanic Heritage TGIT (September)

Vietnamese Students in Health Professions – INACTIVE

Wesley Campus Ministry
President: Justin Austin

Mission Statement: To encourage students to live the Christian faith, learn about Christ, and to develop as leaders of the Christian Church.

Employee Organizations

Retirees Association
The UTMB Retirees' Association provides opportunities for the UTMB retired employees to remain more closely associated with UTMB.
http://www.utmb.edu/retirees/

Support Staff Professionals
MISSION: The object of the organization shall be to stimulate a feeling of fellowship and cooperation among the administrative support staff professionals at The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, and to promote educational seminars, programs, service projects, and socials adapted to the interest of the members and to the mission of the University.

VISION: The SSP is a large active team of administrative support staff professionals focused on the growth and development of its members.  It is an organization recognized by the national, state, city and UTMB communities for its valuable contributions and model of professionalism.http://www.utmb.edu/ssp/

University Christian Fellowship 

Word Study Fellowship 

RESOURCES & ACTIVITIES

Creating a Diverse Workforce Handbook
Recruitment and Selection Process for Faculty and Administrative & Professional Positions. This handbook has been compiled to assist personnel at the University of Texas Medical Branch-Galveston, including Correctional Managed Care, in efforts to achieve a diverse workforce that mirrors the population served by UTMB.  It also is a means for implementing affirmative action at UTMB, which is a commitment of the president and is mandated by various state and federal laws and regulations http://www.utmb.edu/diversity/Recruitment/default.htm

Common Threads—A Celebration of Diversity at UTMB
"Common Threads" is an initiative and campaign led by the Office of Diversity & International Affairs to build on the university's existing success. The intent is to further strengthen the university community's  awareness and appreciation of diversity in all its forms, through proactive, overt and purposeful activities. See list of events...

Faculty, Administrative and Professional On-line Diversity Vitae Bank

 The University of Texas Medical Branch is committed to employing and educating a workforce that mirrors the diverse populations we serve.  We are dedicated to creating an environment that promotes and advocates equal opportunity, utilizing the concept of affirmative action. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity maintains the credentials of individuals who wish to be considered for opportunities not yet available.  When a suitable position becomes available, the credentials of prospective candidates will be available for review and consideration.  Individuals may be contacted regarding a position to determine interest.  Inclusion in the vitae bank is not an application for employment. Vitae will be kept on file for twelve months; extensions of the interval are available upon request. https://my.utmb.edu/Vitaebank/Show_Diversity.asp

Hector P. Garcia, M.D. Cultural Competence Award
The Hector P. Garcia Committee solicits applications from UTMB students for the Hector P. Garcia, M.D. Cultural Competence Award. The award, which includes a monetary prize, will be presented at the 10th Annual Hector P. Garcia. M.D. Award Ceremony, which will be held in September 2006.  The award celebrates Garcia, a distinguished School of Medicine Class of 1942 alumnus and civil right champion, and recognizes a student who demonstrates commitment to providing quality health care to all by incorporating cultural knowledge and skills in his or her service to others.  You can read about Dr. Garcia at the UTMB Hector P. Garcia web page at http://www.utmb.edu/drgarcia/

 UTMB-TAMUG Classical Concerts
http://www.utmb.edu/classical/

Many thanks to the diversity council subcommittee for Increasing the Awareness of Diversity beyond Race and Gender for providing these resources.