Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Leading and evaluating a collaborative approach that encourages and supports inclusive excellence across the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV enterprise.
Welcome
Our school’s mission is to serve our patients, students, medical professionals, and community as a transformational force for improving healthcare in Nevada. A key part of this mission, and deeply aligned with UNLV Health's mission to lead transformative healthcare through education and improved outcomes, is creating a culture of collaboration and care through inclusion and excellence. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and respectful environment where all members of our medical community are welcomed, respected and heard, mirroring UNLV Health's commitment to a diverse and inclusive team-based culture.
This commitment to inclusion directly supports our goal of delivering evidence-based, innovative medical education and high-quality care that improves the health of our community members throughout their lifespan. Through educational initiatives and collaborative efforts across offices including admissions, student affairs, community engagement, faculty affairs and human resources, we are building a foundation of inclusive excellence within our institution.
Contact
For any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us at diversity@medicine.unlv.edu.
You may also fill out our Student Inquiry Form to gain access to announcements, prospective applicant events, and updates.
Learn More
Sign up to receive the latest news and updates about the medical school, and follow us on social media to learn more about us and how we are Transforming Healthcare in Southern Nevada.
Signature Programs
This program is a multi-year pre-medicine cohort program that meets quarterly during the academic year. Freshman, sophomore, and junior level students at UNLV, who are interested in pursuing medical school, are welcome to join. The Gateway Program offers support services, mentoring, guidance and a significant mix of presentations and insights during each quarterly session. Longitudinal participation in the program, starting at the freshman year and continuing until graduation, can also result in a certificate of participation, which is applicable to the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) process as an experience listing.
The Annual Pre-Medicine Conference is open to first and second-year pre-medicine students at Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) institutions. The primary goal of the conference is to share information about the process and timeline for applying to medical school. Conference sessions are tailored to meet the needs of all prospective medical students, and are inclusive of information that may be pertinent to groups historically underrepresented in medicine.
The Annual Allopathic Medical School Application Workshop is open to Nevada residents and NSHE students and alumni who plan to apply to medical school within 12 months. The workshop is designed to provide tips for submitting a competitive application to AMCAS, the centralized application system used by applications to allopathic medical schools. The workshop is designed to meet the needs of all prospective students, and is inclusive of information that may be pertinent to groups historically underrepresented in medicine.
Pre-medicine students at NSHE institutions are invited to schedule one-on-one coaching sessions with an office representative to discuss their progress toward the pre-medicine requirements. Sessions are held monthly during the academic year. The sessions are offered to coach and encourage students who are experiencing some difficulty with an aspect of the pre-medicine curriculum. Efforts are made to help pre-med students meet key medical school admissions requirements. The office of diversity, equity, and inclusion (ODEI) team maintains contact with students between coaching sessions.
ODEI hosts monthly small group mentoring sessions for pre-medicine students from NSHE institutions interested in applying to medical school who identify as first-generation college students or those who are underrepresented in medicine.
ODEI connects pre-medicine student veterans with current medical student veterans during small group mentoring sessions held monthly during the academic year. Pre-medicine students gain access to an extensive network of medical student veterans who share tips and advice about the process of applying to medical school.
ODEI connects pre-medicine students from rural backgrounds with current medical students from rural backgrounds during small group mentoring sessions held monthly during the academic year. Rural pre-medicine students gain access to an extensive network of medical students from rural backgrounds who share tips and advice about the process of applying to medical school.
DEI Climate Initiatives and Outreach Projects
In the spirit of continuous quality improvement, the campus climate initiatives and outreach projects listed below are efforts that were born out of partnerships with our campus constituents and community partners. Our office supports DEI efforts across the spectrum of identities and works towards promoting a more equitable future for all.
OUTlist + ALLYlist
A collaboration between the office of DEI and the LGBTQ+ student organization Qlub Med, the OUTlist + ALLYlist initiative was created to increase visibility and solidarity among members of the campus community who are passionate about equity and inclusion for the LGBTQ+ community.
High School Partner Visitation Program
In partnership with the office of community engagement, the office of DEI hosts pre-college student STEM enrichment programming for partnering Title I magnet schools with STEM or pre-health programs throughout Nevada.
K-12 Student Visitation Program
In partnership with the office of community engagement, the office of DEI hosts pre-college student STEM enrichment programming for partnering community schools and community programs for advanced elementary and middle school students in Southern Nevada. These programs are geared at increasing interest in attending college and pursuing careers in STEM.
Resources
Students Interested in Medicine
Want to learn more about the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV? Please visit our Admissions webpage to learn about our school’s innovative educational program and admission requirements.
See below for resources and programs that will help answer your questions while you are preparing to apply to medical school.
Meet Our Team
Irma Corral, PhD
Roberto Aguayo, Jr., MEd
Elizabeth De La Torre
Institutional Policies for Diversity
The university’s statements and compliance policies can be found at the link below.