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Our Commitment to Health Equity

Members of our university community are determined to research, challenge, and eradicate systemic sexism, racism, and bias and the resultant health disparities, while proactively and creatively developing institutional actions, policies, and funding mechanisms that extend support for the University of Utah’s ongoing commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. 

Addressing these issues will improve outcomes for all patients, creating equity among historically marginalized groups (i.e. Black or African American, American Indian or Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islanders, Latinx [Hispanic or Latino], Southeast Asians, LGBTQ+ community, differently abled and disabled people, women, and other excluded populations) and help us become the campus of choice for learning and employment.

Diversity Montage

Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion

We believe society thrives when we give those who have been historically excluded the opportunity to succeed and live a healthy life. That begins by ending racism and bias in our workplaces—because health care performs at its best when equity, diversity, and inclusion become an essential part of our mission. We're reimagining our hiring programs and building pipelines for people of color to establish careers with us, investing in our community to create jobs and help rebuild oppressed economies, and listening to colleagues and patients of color to learn from their experiences moving forward. We’re committed to being the advocates and partners in the change we all want to see in the world.

Equity Is Everywhere: Interview Series

Meet the leaders building a better U—from the inside, out. They’re asking: What barriers prevent people from feeling like they belong? And how are we doing our part so that all feel included? Together, we're fostering belonging not just on our campus but throughout our community.

Read the Interviews

Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion Collage ft. Jose Rodriguez, Heather Nyman, Bart Watts, Donna Baluchi, Paloma Cariello, and Valerie Flattes

News & Updates

Providing Dental Care to Patients Observing Ramadan

How can dentists provide culturally sensitive care to patients during the month of Ramadan so that fasting doesn't have a negative impact on their oral health?

Read the Article

Community Health Workers Are Essential to Medical Education

The U's new MD program includes community health workers as both partners and preceptors helping medical students understand how to better collaborate in clinic.

Best Practices for Care

Health Equity Research to Deliver Better Patient Outcomes

University of Utah scholars are working with the National Academy of Medicine to close health care gaps for individuals identifying as Hispanic or Latinx.

Explore the Research

Institutional Initiatives

University of Utah Health is deeply committed to enhancing the success of diverse faculty, students, and staff, as part of our broader goal to enrich the educational experiences and success of all members of our university community. Working in concert with University of Utah's Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, University of Utah Health's Office of Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, the School of Medicine's Office of Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, our leaders, experts, and educators drive the effort to create a safe and welcoming campus climate following the system initiatives detailed below. 

Toward Anti-Racism as a Shared Value

At University of Utah Health, we look at ourselves as part of an excellent institution. But excellence is impossible without equity—and equity is impossible unless we eliminate systemic racism.

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Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

The mission of the Office for Health Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion is to create a culture where addressing health and education inequities happens organically at University of Utah Health. 

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Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion


University of Utah's Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion is deeply committed to enhancing the success of diverse faculty, students, and staff, as part of our broader goal to enrich the educational experiences and success of all members of our university community.

Find Out More

Curated list of ongoing initiatives and resources below; click here for the full archive.

      The EDI Executive Committee was created to inform, guide, and coordinate addressing racist policies and long-standing practices that perpetuate racism and inequity on our campus.

      We recognize racism as a public health crisis and believe anti-Black racism is one major cause of health disparities that we observe in our society. Our first step is to initiate anti-racism audits in every academic and administrative unit at U of U Health, with the goal of eliminating any practice that appears to permit systemic racism. We will also judge the systems by their outcomes, not their intentions. Learn more about the work we are doing to ensure system equity

      To ensure that the “sky is the limit” for all professionals regardless of gender, the Women in Health, Medicine, & Science (WiHMS) endeavors to promote faculty development, mentoring, and advocacy of women faculty in all stages of their careers to ultimately create a climate that fosters the success of all faculty, regardless of gender.

      In August 2020, the Office of Graduate Medical Education (GME) convened a new sub-committee: the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Anti-racism Leadership Strategy or the IDEALS Committee. This committee is open to all program directors, program managers, and trainees.

      Community Read is a monthly reading & journaling group hosted by the Spencer S. Eccles Health Sciences Library and the Office for Health Equity and Inclusion. Summer sessions are co-sponsored by the Native American Research Internship (NARI) and the American Indian Resource Center (AIRC).

        The Transgender Health Program at University of Utah Health brings quality health care to trans adults and teens from all walks of life. We welcome all identities and expressions seeking our services. We understand that every trans or gender diverse person's experience is unique. Our doctors will be there to give you endless support wherever your journey takes you. 

        Our health system believes that asking questions about sexual orientation and gender identity is important so we can provide everyone with culturally responsive, patient-centered services they need.

        University of Utah Health received the “LGBTQ Health Care Equality Top Performer” designation from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC). The designation was awarded in the 13th edition of HRC’s Healthcare Equality Index (HEI)

          Update your contact information. If DWS cannot reach you may lose your Medicaid. Update your contact info by calling 1-866-608-9422 OR visiting JOBS.UTAH.GOV/MYCASE

          The Patient Voice series, also known as the Charles James Nabors, Ph.D. Conference Series, recognizes and honors Dr. Charles James Nabors, a civil rights activist, former anatomy professor, and the first African American professor at the University of Utah School of Medicine. The series showcases patient voices from various communities and their thoughts on how to improve health care quality. Each month’s presentation focuses on a different community. Sessions are free and open to the public and qualifiy for AMA and CME credit.

          Utah has recently expanded its Medicaid program allowing for more Utahns than ever to enroll in the safety-net program. Medicaid is an important program that covers qualifying Utahns with health benefits, acting as the key to opening the door for healthcare services.

          Read about common questions asked about Medicaid and information about where you can learn more.

          What do patient’s want? Ask them.


          Ever wonder why your thoughtfully planned improvement fell flat with patients? Enter the University of Utah Health Patient Design Studio, a group of patients who meet monthly with improvers to provide actionable, direct and collaborative input on their improvement efforts.

          From the Amazon to the Redwood Health Center. Read about Anna Gallegos' journey to advocating for the health care needs of Utah's refugees through the Refugee Health Program

            The addition of personal pronouns to medical students white coats was first offered in 2020 to first year students, and the Office of Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion for the School of Medicine is offering to all matriculated students regardless of year in school to have their personal pronouns embroidered. 

            Burnout and compassion fatigue are normal reactions to the abnormally stressful job of caring for people with cancer and their loved ones. To support all staff at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI), HCI leaders created the Compassionate Workplace program to promote joy in work and foster resiliency.

            We can be so hard on ourselves. Contributors from the Resiliency Center share how self-compassion, the practice of being kind and fair to yourself during times of stress, can improve your well-being and resilience. 

            Learn how to practice self-compassion for resilience and well-being.