News
Discover the latest news on equity, diversity, and inclusion in medicine and our community.
November 1, 2021
Three UCLA medical school faculty elected to National Academy of Medicine
On November 1, E. Dale Abel, MD, PhD, a distinguished endocrinologist with a lengthy record as a researcher and clinician and as a mentor to young scientists, was appointed chair of the Department of Medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and executive medical director of the UCLA Health System’s Department of Medicine.
October 18, 2021
Three UCLA medical school faculty elected to National Academy of Medicine
On October 18, Dr. Keith Norris was elected into the National Academy of Medicine.
September 15, 2021
On September 15, 2021, the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) named Dr. Alejandra Casillas, assistant professor-in-residence of medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, as one of its Emerging Leaders in Health and Medicine Scholars to study ways to improve health for all.
May 26, 2021
Standing Against Violence and Hatred
On May 26, 2020, UCLA Chancellor Gene Block issued the following statement to the UCLA community in response to the recent Anti-Semetic attacks.
May 24, 2021
Reflecting on the Anniversary of George Floyd’s Murder
On May 24, 2020, UCLA Chancellor Gene Block issued the following statement to the UCLA community, reflecting on the one year anniversary of George Floyd's murder.
May 4, 2021
CTSI supported "Get Out the Vaccine" Campaign Among California Governor's Initatives
On May 4, 2020, the California Governor Gavin Newsom announced that the state would be awarding Drs. Brown and Norris a $20 million contract to continue their work in this arena.
April 28, 2021
What Does It Mean To Thrive Rather Than Survive? Q&A with Cynthia Gonzalez
Cynthia Gonzalez, a member of our board, and director of Pardee RAND Graduate School's Community-Partnered Policy and Action stream, talks about her passion and insights for the school and why it is time for a new approach to community well-being.
April 20, 2021
The Chauvin Verdict and Beyond
On April 20, 2020, UCLA Chancellor Gene Block issued the following statement to the UCLA community in response to Derek Chauvin's conviction and moving forward.
March 17, 2021
AERA Executive Director Felice J. Levine and President Shaun R. Harper released a statement on Atlanta shootings and growing anti-Asian Violence.
February 17, 2021
On February 17, 2021, UCLA Chancellor Gene Block issued the following statement to the UCLA community in response to incidents of anti-Asian and anti-Pacific Islander bias and violence in the United States.January 28, 2021
Final Report of the Moreno Recommendations Implementation Committee
The Moreno Recommendations Implementation Committee announces the publication of our Final Report (PDF) concerning the progress of UCLA’s implementation of the Moreno Report, which is available on the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion’s website. The Moreno Recommendations Implementation Committee (MRIC) was created to monitor and assess UCLA’s activities, progress, and challenges regarding implementation of the Moreno Committee recommendations.
January 2, 2021
FOX 11's Christine Devine and Koco McAboy Talk with Dr. Keith Norris
Topics include why people may be hesitant about the covid-19 vaccines.
December 17, 2020
New UCLA center to focus on health, safety and well-being of LGBTQ community
The UCLA Fielding School of Public Health has launched a new center to promote the health of sexual and gender minorities through research and partnerships with the LGBTQ community, community-based organizations, public health officials and policymakers in Los Angeles and beyond.
December 17, 2020
As President-elect Joseph R. Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris prepare for a new national administration, the Civil Rights Project at UCLA has issued new research underscoring the grievous segregation of Black students and calling on the new administration to act to fulfill the promise of the landmark Brown v. Board of education ruling as pledged in the Democratic campaign.
December 9, 2020
Vaccine approval looks imminent but distrust misinformation have experts worried
The Food and Drug Administration could vote as soon as Thursday to approve a COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer for emergency use authorization in the United States. Consider this from NPR features FDA head Dr. Stephen Hahn, Renee DiResta of the Stanford Internet Observatory and our very own Dr. Keith Norris.
December 2, 2020
Anna Spain Bradley: Creating a More Inclusive University
How does one create a more equitable learning environment? Anna Spain Bradley, UCLA’s new vice chancellor for equity, diversity and inclusion, has been thinking a lot about this question. Despite the political polarization of our time, Spain Bradley – a scholar of international law, global racism and human rights – says it’s imperative that we sit down and have conversations with people we disagree with.
November 30, 2020
Chandra Bhatnagar Named Inaugural Assistant Vice Chancellor for Civil Rights
Dear Bruin Community:
I am pleased to announce that Chandra Bhatnagar has been selected to serve as the inaugural assistant vice chancellor for civil rights within the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. He will start January 25, 2021.
November 30, 2020
New initiative aims to accelerate equity in computing and technology fields
The UCLA School of Education and Information Studies has launched Momentum: Accelerating Equity in Computing and Technology, an important research initiative to diversify computing and technology, with an intensive focus on the recruitment of women and people of color into computing education and technology career pathways.
November 30, 2020
Study shows link between economic, social, environmental factors and oral health
Strategies for combatting disparities in care include deploying community health workers to help patients navigate services or secure affordable services and integrating oral health into efforts aimed at improving the health of disadvantaged groups, the researchers say.
November 26, 2020
UCLA Health and its plan to build an equitable tomorrow
UCLA Health believes a diverse and inclusive health care workforce and environment results in better care, service and health outcomes for our patients. We also believe that our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion will result in greater productivity, innovation and engagement of our faculty, staff, trainees, students and volunteers.
November 24, 2020
Meeting the moment: 20 years of Critical Race Studies at UCLA School of Law
As UCLA Law’s Critical Race Studies program celebrates two decades, seven scholars take a close look at these challenging times
November 17, 2020
Fink Center for Finance and Girls Who Invest Help Close the Gender Gap
To close that gender gap, Girls Who Invest, which began at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, developed and runs a program offering intensive classes taught by prominent faculty members. In the summer of 2020, the UCLA Anderson Fink Center for Finance hosted the Girls Who Invest program at UCLA Anderson remotely.
November 16-20, 2020
Nov. 16–20: UCLA International Education Week
The UCLA International Institute in partnership with the Dashew Center for International Students and Scholars, UCLA Residential Life, UCLA Library and UCLA Study Abroad will present International Education Week 2020, an initiative of the U.S. departments of education and state. From Nov. 16–20, there will be a variety of virtual events to celebrate international education.
November 16, 2020
Report calls for easier access to data on American Indians’ and Alaska Natives’ health
American Indians and Alaska Natives are often underrepresented in health research because of narrow definitions for race and ethnicity in national and state surveys.
November 10, 2020
President Drake announces new Presidential Policy on Gender Recognition and Lived Name
Across the University of California, students, staff and faculty have advocated for changes to make UC more equitable and inclusive. In a significant step toward this goal, President Michael V. Drake, M.D., has announced a new presidential policy to ensure that all individuals are identified by their accurate gender identity and lived or preferred name on university-issued documents and in UC’s information systems.
November 4, 2020
UCLA’s unwavering dedication to diversity and inclusion
Chancellor Gene Block and Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Emily Carter sent the following message to the UCLA campus community on Nov. 4.
November 1, 2020
UC President Michael Drake on the presidential election
On Nov. 1, University of California President Dr. Michael Drake posted the following message about the election for the entire UC community.
October 29, 2020
Interactive map will crowdsource hate crime reports
The UCLA American Indian Studies Center has launched an online interactive hate crime map to help track such incidents across the U.S. The new website is intended to supplement reporting on such crimes, both by inviting submissions from people who have experienced such crimes and by tracking published accounts from news sources.
October 27, 2020
A Word from the President, UCLA Health and CEO, UCLA Hospital System: Johnese Spisso
At UCLA Health, we believe a diverse and inclusive health care workforce and environment results in better care, service and health outcomes of our patients. We also believe that our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) will result in greater satisfaction, engagement and innovation from our staff.
October 23, 2020
Southeast Asian American student groups strive to create community despite pandemic
The Association of Indonesian Americans, founded in January, hopes to empower and educate Indonesian American students at UCLA. Meanwhile, the Burmese Student Association, which was revived this fall, will encourage Burmese students to celebrate Burmese holidays and help Burmese students in high school reach higher education.
October 23, 2020
Intergenerational activism drives decades-long fight for Pilipino studies at UCLA
Over the course of several decades, many Filipino Bruins have been united by a single cause: to develop Pilipino studies at UCLA. The establishment of the Pilipino studies minor, which students can declare for the first time this fall, is one of many achievements Pilipino studies advocates have accomplished throughout the decades.
October 15, 2020
LGBTQ Center celebrates 25 years with renewed emphasis on empowerment
The center this year added ‘Q’ for queer to its name to reclaim the former slur as a term of inclusion
October 12, 2020
For L.A.’s third Indigenous Peoples Day, systemic change is the cause at hand
Amid a pandemic that is hitting communities of color and tribal communities hardest, and following a summer of calls for racial justice in the United States, leaders in UCLA’s American Indian Studies Center have rallied around a singular focus: centering Native voices, Native experiences and Native perspectives within the larger cultural moment the nation is struggling through.
October 9, 2020
photo courtesy of NBC Los Angeles
Study Finds Health Inequities Measured in Children as Young as 5
A nationwide study released Friday by researchers at UCLA has found that health inequities can be measured in children as young as 5 years old, with 30% of children in the lowest-income neighborhoods vulnerable in one more areas of health development compared with 17% of children in higher-income settings.
October 7, 2020
We see you: New department name uplifts Central Americans
It’s now the UCLA César E. Chávez Department of Chicana and Chicano and Central American Studies. Adding “Central American” to the Chicana and Chicano studies department name recognizes students and faculty from a region whose individual cultures are often overlooked.
October 2, 2020
photo courtesy of Natalie Bui
UCLA Research Center Develops Online Anti-Racism Hub Focusing on Asian Americans
A new website known as the Movement Hub was developed by the UCLA Center for Neighborhood Knowledge (CNK) to serve as a centralized platform to amplify on-the-ground activism and organizing by Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. The website offers resources for and by AAPI organizations to promote cross-racial unity.
September 30, 2020
Millions of Latinos at risk of job displacement by automation
The potential acceleration of job automation spurred by COVID-19 will disproportionately affect Latinos in U.S. service sector jobs, according to a new UCLA report, which also urges state and local officials to start planning now to implement programs to support and retrain these workers.
September 29, 2020
UCLA takes important steps to support Black life and advance equity on campus
Update from leadership outlines progress that has been made and highlights several new initiatives
September 28, 2020
Webinar series focuses on global BLM conversation
In order to draw connections among unique, but interlinked, anti-racist struggles in the context of the global histories of colonialism, imperialism and internationalism, International Institute faculty have created the “Black Lives Matter: Global Perspectives ” webinar series for the 2020–21 academic year.
September 24, 2020
AAMC Statement on Executive Order on Combating Race and Sex Stereotyping
AAMC President and CEO David J. Skorton, MD, and AAMC Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer David A. Acosta, MD, issued the following statement on the Executive Order on Combating Race and Sex Stereotyping (issued on Sept. 22).
September 23, 2020
photo courtesy of CSU
Joseph I. Castro Appointed Eighth CSU Chancellor
The California State University (CSU) Board of Trustees has appointed Joseph I. Castro, Ph.D., to serve as the eighth chancellor of the California State University. He is the first California native and first Mexican American to be appointed to oversee the 23-campus university.
September 17, 2020
Bruins play key roles in report calling for sweeping reforms in L.A.
Dean Gary Segura and 4 UCLA Luskin students contribute to ambitious effort to reimagine life in the region.
September 9, 2020
‘No going back’ to racist past, L.A. civic leaders say of post-COVID future
The report, a novel-length and heavily footnoted volume called “No Going Back,” is part academic treatise and part manifesto, painting a dark picture of racial and economic inequity and recommending a sweeping overhaul of the systems that it holds responsible.
September 9, 2020
BruinX and EDI Launch “Quarantine Recommendations” Series!
BruinX and the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion proudly launch our BruinX Quarantine Recommendations series! Set to be released regularly, these handy resource documents will provide the UCLA community with a series of tips, recommendations, and activities to enrich and hopefully brighten your day during quarantine — all in the spirit of growing, learning, and healing together.
September 8, 2020
DGSOM EDI Assistant Dean - Appointment
It is a privilege to announce that Dr. Daniel Kozman has been named as an Assistant Dean of Equity and Diversity Inclusion (EDI) at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, joining Dr. Kathleen Brown who also serves as Assistant Dean for EDI. Dr. Kozman will work on providing guidance and leading activities to advance equity and diversity inclusion with a focus on medical students. (Message from Lynn Gordon, MD, PhD, Senior Associate Dean, DGSOM EDI)
August 31, 2020
Vickie Mays named special advisor to the chancellor on Black life
To help UCLA become a more equitable institution, to build upon our support for Black scholarship and teaching, and to help enhance the campus climate for all Black Bruins and their allies, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Vickie Mays as Special Advisor to the Chancellor on Black Life.
August 31, 2020
Resident Who Sent Anti-Semitic Tweets Barred From Medicine
A first-year resident who was fired in 2018 from the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio after her anti-Semitic tweets were discovered has now permanently lost her ability to practice medicine. Lara Kollab posted anti-Semitic hate speech, referred to Jewish people as dogs, downplayed the Holocaust, and threatened to "purposely give all the yahood [sic] the wrong meds." Yahud is the Arabic word for Jews.
August 27, 2020
Black Feminism Initiative meets the moment, in service of a more just future
If higher education can be thought of as a superhighway to success and social mobility, Black women have always had to manufacture their own vehicles to access it. They must navigate a system whose fastest on-ramps, most well-maintained lanes, bridges and sources of replenishment were founded and structured to best support those who are white, or male, or both.
August 26, 2020
photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Five Black suffragists who were critical to the long battle for the vote
Today is Women’s Equality Day, which marks the date the 19th Amendment was certified by the Secretary of State. In honor of the 100th anniversary of that milestone, we celebrate five African American women highlighted in DuBois’ book — each of whom played a critical role in the fight for women’s suffrage. They are listed here in order of their birth years.
August 20, 2020
Pediatrics Group Offers ‘Long Overdue’ Apology for Racist Past
The American Academy of Pediatrics recently joined other prominent medical organizations in confronting its history of discrimination. “Physicians are no different from other Americans who harbor biases,” said Dr. Wailoo, whose research focuses on race and the history of medicine. “We expect doctors to speak on the basis of science, but they’re embedded in culture in the same way everyone else is.”
August 12, 2020
photo courtesy of RAND
RAND Launches Center to Advance Racial Equity Policy
Against the backdrop of a pandemic inflicting disproportionate physical and economic pain on communities of color, and an overdue reckoning with America's long history of systemic inequity and structural racism, the RAND Corporation is launching the RAND Center to Advance Racial Equity Policy.
August 10, 2020
photo courtesy of iStock.com/Bill Oxford
Black, Latino renters far more likely to be facing housing displacement during pandemic
A new study of the magnitude, pattern and causes of COVID-19’s impact on California housing reveals that Blacks and Latinos are more than twice as likely as whites to be experiencing rent-related hardships.
July 30, 2020
Law graduate wins UC President’s Award for her DACA advocacy
Dellara Gorjian, a 2020 graduate of UCLA School of Law, has received the UC President’s Award for Outstanding Student Leadership for her advocacy on behalf of DACA recipients. The award was announced by President Janet Napolitano at the July 30 UC Regents meeting.
July 24, 2020
photo courtesy of Caroline Champlin/LAist
Asian Americans Are Facing Disproportionate Economic Insecurity, And Racism Plays A Role
A new UCLA study using data from unemployment claims, the Current Population Survey, and from the U.S. Census Bureau suggests that Asian Americans are suffering financially more than whites amid the pandemic, and that related xenophobia has harmed Asian-owned businesses.
July 20, 2020
African American Studies Professor Patricia Turner reflects fondly on getting to spend time with the civil rights icon, who was one of her heroes.
July 7, 2020
Michael Drake to become 21st president of the University of California
The University of California Board of Regents announced today the appointment of Dr. Michael Drake as the 21st president of UC’s world-renowned system of 10 campuses, five medical centers, three nationally affiliated labs, more than 280,000 students and 230,000 faculty and staff.
June 30, 2020
UCLA introduces steps to create a more inclusive environment for Black Bruins
UCLA Chancellor Gene Block and Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Emily Carter issued the following statement to the UCLA community, outlining upcoming actions and initiatives to ensure racial justice and lasting change on campus.
June 18, 2020
University of California celebrates Supreme Court win on DACA
University of California President Janet Napolitano, all 10 UC chancellors and John A. Pérez, chair of the UC Board of Regents, sent a message to the entire UC community expressing their support for the Supreme Court decision issued June 18 upholding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy.
June 15, 2020
photo courtesy of ACLU
What Today's Supreme Court Ruling Means for the LGBTQ Community
The Supreme Court has ruled that LGBTQ people cannot be fired because of their sexual orientation or because they are transgender as a matter of federal law, affirming legal protections from job discrimination for millions of people.
June 9, 2020
Appointment of Anna Spain Bradley as Next Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Chancellor Block and Executive Vice Chancellor Carter announce the appointment of Anna Spain Bradley as UCLA’s vice chancellor for equity, diversity and inclusion, effective September 1, 2020.
June 4, 2020
Staff Assembly urges people get involved in support of antiracism
UCLA Staff Assembly has pledged to match all UCLA staff donations to any organization doing the work of antiracism (in any amount and up to $1,000).
June 4, 2020
New doctor’s quest to transform care for poor and underserved is personal
A child of immigrants, Melissa Rios learned early on how ‘education, poverty and health are inextricably linked’
June 1, 2020
Protests for racial justice: Faculty share insights on responses to the killing of George Floyd
People in Los Angeles gather to protest racial injustice and police brutality.
May 30, 2020
photo courtesy of NPR
What Do Coronavirus Racial Disparities Look Like State By State?
NPR’s analysis shows just how stark the impact has been on African-Americans and Latinos. Experts say the pandemic will go on — for everyone — unless we direct resources where they’re most needed.
May 6, 2020
Statement from Chancellor Block and Vice Chancellor Kang: UCLA’s Response to Recent Title IX Changes
UCLA Chancellor Gene Block and Vice Chancellor of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Jerry Kang issued the following statement to the UCLA community in response to recent changes to Title IX regulations.
March 10, 2020
photo courtesy of AAMC
Is it time for term limits in academic medicine?
Reshma Jagsi, MD, DPhil, spoke with AAMCNews about how term limits, particularly at the department chair level, are needed to diversify leadership in academic medicine.
March 3, 2020
Inclusion is not a static idea. It is an active pursuit.
Courage and Curiosity Create an Inclusive Workplace and Better Patient Care.
January 27-31, 2020
UCLA Celebrates First-Generation Awareness Week
From January 27 – January 31, 2020, UCLA will celebrate First-Generation Awareness Week, bringing to light and recognizing the 9,000-plus UCLA students who self-report as first-generation college students.
January 29, 2020
photo courtesy of AAMC
AAMC launches new initiative to address and eliminate gender inequities
AAMC leadership and board of directors call on medical schools and teaching hospitals to identify and address gender inequities in academic medicine.
January 27, 2020
Legal Named Removed from Back of Student BruinCards
Taking effect on November 4, 2019, the “legal name” field has been removed from the back of students’ UCLA BruinCards.
January 17, 2020
Pushing back against patient bias
From racial epithets to homophobic slurs, providers have long suffered patient bias. Now, medicals schools and teaching hospitals are saying “no more” with powerful steps to protect students and staff.
January 14, 2020
photo courtesy of AAMC
Achieving excellence through equity, diversity, and inclusion
Academic medical centers must embrace equity-mindedness and conscious inclusion if they are to realize the full benefits of a diverse workforce.
December 26, 2019
photo courtesy of Scientific American
Bringing New Voices into the Sciences
The U.S. still has a long way to go with respect to diversity, equity and inclusion
December 13, 2019
Take your Taste Buds on a World Tour
UCLA Anderson student clubs explore diversity through regional cuisine at the annual International Food Festival
November 25, 2019
photo courtesy of AAMC
Paving the Way for Physicians with Disabilities
Students and residents with disabilities have an important role to play in health care. An AAMC report outlines promising practices for medical schools and teaching hospitals to create a supportive and inclusive learning environment.
October 1, 2019
A Sweet Introduction to the Mid-Autumn Festival
UCLA Anderson Class of 2021 MBAs learned about and celebrated one of the lunar calendar’s most auspicious events UCLA Anderson’s full-time MBA Class of 2021 celebrated the 2019 Mid-Autumn Festival at an inaugural event supported by the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Center for Global Management, MBA Student Affairs, Anderson Eats and Greater China Business Association.
September 30, 2019
PEN America Releases “Campus Free Speech Guide” (Highlighting UCLA EDI Resources)
PEN America, a nonprofit organization working to defend and celebrate free expression in the United States and worldwide, recently published their Campus Free Speech Guide. This valuable resource for faculty, staff, and students provides practical, principled guidance for how campuses can best remain open to all voices.
