Medical school names newest Dean’s Diversity Champions
Nine faculty, staff, and students at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine (VTCSOM) have been named the 2024 Dean’s Diversity Champions. This is the school’s third year of recognizing individuals for significant achievements toward developing a more diverse and inclusive community.
“I commend these individuals for making diversity a priority at VTCSOM,” said Dean Lee Learman. “As one of our core values, diversity and inclusion affirms our common humanity and improves the quality of our learning environment.”
It is well documented that diversity in medicine also leads to better patient outcomes.
“It is essential that health care systems do all we can to implement strategies and processes that make our patients’ lives better. Diversity is part of that answer,” said Azziza Bankole, the medical school’s chief diversity officer.
Bankole added, “Recognizing members of the VTCSOM community who have shown their dedication to diversity makes known what we value as a school and sets an example for others not only to start such work but as a boon for many to continue with their efforts.”
Students, faculty, and staff nominated the recipients, who were then selected by the school’s inclusion and diversity team. Examples of some of the activities that award winners were engaged in included: directing an after-school health program in an underserved Roanoke neighborhood, hosting a community wide gathering for Hispanic Heritage Month, tutoring literacy for local immigrant and refugee communities, and volunteering for the school’s MedDOCS program.
The 2024 Dean’s Diversity Champions are
Faculty
Kristofer Rau
Adrienne Kinsey
Staff
Roberto Silva
Stephanie Picado
Class of 2026
Adiana Irizarry
Maedot Hamete
Class of 2025
Nancy Wu
Paula Lewis
Class of 2024
Nneoma Edokobi
