DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
The Department of Medicine at USC recognizes the great importance of increasing diversity at all levels of its organization — residents, fellows, faculty, and staff. Learning from and caring for a population varying in age, race, gender, cultural background, socioeconomic status, religion, gender identity, and sexual orientation, cultivates culturally competent and conscious physicians. Here at USC, we value diversity amongst our patients as well as our house staff. Our residency leadership is dedicated to recruiting trainees from under-represented communities to promote an educational environment rooted in communication, collaboration and collegiality. Accordingly, the Diversity Council was established as part of our commitment to increasing the diversity of our program. The goals of the Diversity Council are to promote an inclusive atmosphere for all trainees at USC, increase the diversity of our training programs, and provide mentorship and support for trainees from all backgrounds.
Our Residents
Diversity in ethnic, religion, geographic, and gender identity among our residents fosters an educational environment rooted in collaboration, communication, and teamwork. To that end, our leadership is dedicated to recruiting trainees from underreperesented communities.
AFFINITY GROUPS
LAC+USC Affinity Groups are safe spaces to foster support and encouragement among residents and fellows who identify with a particular community during their training at LAC+USC. There are groups for the Black community, Latinx community, LGBTQ+ community, Women in Medicine, First Generation community, a General Diversity & Inclusion group (i.e. for all residents supporting diversity and allies for any affinity subgroups), and more. Depending on the group, these may meet anytime from monthly to quarterly.
Our Patients
Los Angeles county is one of the most ethnically and socially diverse regions in the United States and is home to people from more than 140 countries, speaking 224 different identified languages. The City of Angels boasts the largest communities outside their home countries of many nations, including Korea, Iran, Thailand, Mexico, and El Salvador. In addition to those who call LA home, there are over 47 million visitors Los Angeles annually.
As a safety-net hospital, LAC+USC serves a large local, vulnerable population. During your training here with us, you will care for these Angelinos, their families, and the visitors to our county. We believe that learning from and caring for a population diverse in thought, experience, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, and religion, breeds a culturally competent and conscious physician. We are proud of our role in helping bridge the gaps in healthcare disparities and providing care for the underserved.
Visiting Medical Students
For visiting medical students interested in our program, the USC Keck School of Medicine supports a Diversity in Medicine Visiting Student Clerkship Award. As a recipient of the Diversity in Medicine Visiting Clerkship Award, the Keck School of Medicine will provide a stipend to assist with housing, transportation, and travel for a senior elective in Internal Medicine. Please visit this link for more information.