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Diversity and Inclusion

  1. VHS
  2. About Us
  3. Administrative Offices
  4. Diversity and Inclusion

Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion attracts students, trainees, faculty and staff from diverse backgrounds and experiences to drive our collective commitment to excellence.

Diversity and Inclusion

  1. VHS
  2. About Us
  3. Administrative Offices
  4. Diversity and Inclusion

Diversity and Inclusion

At Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University we believe that a mixture of ethnic, racial and cultural backgrounds as well as vibrant life experiences are critical to a successful teaching, research and patient-care environment. Fostering an environment where all are welcomed, valued and supported to fulfill their potential is a priority at our institution. But don't just take our word for it. Hear from people on our campus.

Embracing diversity

Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion is the most diverse medical school in Virginia, according to U.S. News & World Report’s 2023-2024 rankings.

Recruiting women, traditionally underrepresented minorities in medicine and the health professions, veterans and those who come from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds is important to us. We understand diversity is an evolving concept, and we continually strive to be inclusive of individuals and groups in the broadest possible manner.

Read more about diversity

Why choose us?

Medical professionals

Inclusive

We are committed to creating and fostering a diverse and cohesive faculty, professional staff and student body.

Neighborhood

Health-Equity Focus

Our programs integrate social determinants of health, health disparities and cultural competency content into the curriculum.

Icon of a handshake

Support

Our advising and mentorship programs promote resilience and provide the individualized support needed for success.

We identify opportunities to foster greater diversity, equity and inclusion in core mission areas. Learn more in our Strategic Plan for Advancing Health Equity and Inclusion for Community and Academic Impact.

Read our Strategic Plan

Addressing issues that matter

White doctor talking with diverse patient

Unconscious bias training

How do you fight bias if you don't even know it's there? The phenomenon known as "unconscious bias" is the focus of a new institution-wide training.

Unconscious bias training

Campus-Wide Unconscious Bias Training: This effort to raise awareness of unconscious bias is required training for all faculty, staff, students and the school's Board of Directors.

Women in leadership

When it comes to academic medicine, women are entering the field in large numbers.

Women in leadership

In 2018, female students made up 50% of our entering MD class. Women also are gaining ground in all Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University residency specialties, including traditionally male-dominated areas like surgery, ophthalmology and radiology. Over in the School of Health Professions, female students dominate programs like Surgical Assisting and Physician Assistant, and are entering typically male-led fields, like biomedical sciences, at all-time highs.

Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion places a strong emphasis on increasing access to opportunities for development and advancement, especially for female faculty. Read more about our efforts in the Wonder Women edition of our Digital Magazine.

A black and white issue

During the last 40 years, black male enrollment in medical schools has remained virtually unchanged nationwide. Diversity and Inclusion wants to do something about that.

A black and white issue

In order to address inequities, Diversity and Inclusion:

  • Partners with local high schools and undergraduate institutions to develop a "pyramid of mentoring."
  • Has developed a revised admissions criteria will include a more holistic approach for evaluating potential students
  • Has committed to strengthening our BS/MD program, a relationship with several undergraduate institutions where students can earn guaranteed acceptance into Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University as a college sophomore
  • Developed a pre-matriculation program so that students arrive before classes begin so they can acclimate to the campus. Read more in the Digital Magazine's Black and White Issue.
White doctor talking with diverse patient

Unconscious bias training

How do you fight bias if you don't even know it's there? The phenomenon known as "unconscious bias" is the focus of a new institution-wide training.

group of women from diverse backgrounds

Women in leadership

When it comes to academic medicine, women are entering the field in large numbers.

Unconscious bias training

Campus-Wide Unconscious Bias Training: This effort to raise awareness of unconscious bias is required training for all faculty, staff, students and the school's Board of Directors.

Three black male MD students in their EVMS apartment

A black and white issue

During the last 40 years, black male enrollment in medical schools has remained virtually unchanged nationwide. Diversity and Inclusion wants to do something about that.

White doctor talking with diverse patient

Unconscious bias training

How do you fight bias if you don't even know it's there? The phenomenon known as "unconscious bias" is the focus of a new institution-wide training.

group of women from diverse backgrounds

Women in leadership

When it comes to academic medicine, women are entering the field in large numbers.

Three black male MD students in their EVMS apartment

A black and white issue

During the last 40 years, black male enrollment in medical schools has remained virtually unchanged nationwide. Diversity and Inclusion wants to do something about that.

Unconscious bias training

Campus-Wide Unconscious Bias Training: This effort to raise awareness of unconscious bias is required training for all faculty, staff, students and the school's Board of Directors.

Women in leadership

In 2018, female students made up 50% of our entering MD class. Women also are gaining ground in all Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University residency specialties, including traditionally male-dominated areas like surgery, ophthalmology and radiology. Over in the School of Health Professions, female students dominate programs like Surgical Assisting and Physician Assistant, and are entering typically male-led fields, like biomedical sciences, at all-time highs.

Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion places a strong emphasis on increasing access to opportunities for development and advancement, especially for female faculty. Read more about our efforts in the Wonder Women edition of our Digital Magazine.

A black and white issue

In order to address inequities, Diversity and Inclusion:

  • Partners with local high schools and undergraduate institutions to develop a "pyramid of mentoring."
  • Has developed a revised admissions criteria will include a more holistic approach for evaluating potential students
  • Has committed to strengthening our BS/MD program, a relationship with several undergraduate institutions where students can earn guaranteed acceptance into Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University as a college sophomore
  • Developed a pre-matriculation program so that students arrive before classes begin so they can acclimate to the campus. Read more in the Digital Magazine's Black and White Issue.

Faculty and leadership

Diversity and inclusion is important at every level and rank in our institution. That's why each leadership search at our institution begins with an orientation on our diversity recruitment policy as well as a learning session on unconscious bias. This ensures that the search process produces a disparate candidate pool and decreases unconscious bias in the selection process. 

In addition, our office collaborates with in integrating diversity and inclusion as part of the professional development process for all faculty and leaders.

Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University provides an Inclusive Excellence in Medicine Cohort Training Program that helps learners grasp the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Participants learn skills to implement diversity and inclusion strategies in the workplace.

Learn more about the Cohort Training Program

Contact Us

Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University
Diversity in Educational Programs
P.O. Box 1980
Norfolk, VA 23501

757.446.5869

Get Directions 

 Map of Medical Master's Program location