CPHS shares commitment to student diversity, equity, and inclusion plans

It is important for future healthcare professionals to learn about diverse populations and to value equity and inclusion so they can effectively engage and educate all patients in their respective fields. In the CPHS, health care professional students engage in a variety of intentional classroom and real-world experiences, developing an understanding of the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The framework for these intentional experiences were outlined in the College’s Student Diversity Plans, developed several years ago for the pharmacy and health sciences programs. Over the last year, the college revised those plans and created corollary plans for the athletic training and occupational therapy programs. The purpose of the diversity, equity, and inclusion plans are to ensure that students are provided opportunities within curricular requirements to achieve the needed skills to interact with all patients. Completion of their plans, along with other course requirements, allow students to be introduced to diverse populations and practice values of inclusion and equity in order to address health care disparities.

Each of the plans, highlighted on the College’s Commitment to Diversity page lists required courses and experiences that include activities, assignments, and evaluations that achieve and assess these goals:

1. Evaluate the role of sociocultural, socioeconomic, and diversity factors, as well as lifestyle choices in contemporary society to meet the healthcare needs of persons, groups, and populations.
2. Recognize social determinants of health to diminish disparities and inequities in access to quality care.
3. Create health and wellness plans that are sensitive to cultural beliefs and practices.
4. Communicate effectively with patients, families, and the public, as appropriate, across a broach range of socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.

Although many other courses in each program may meet these objectives, specific and relevant activities are assessed in these courses through instructor, preceptor and fieldwork evaluations and course assignments. The documentation of successful course completion will indicate the fulfillment of the learning objective incorporated into that course.