About the Office of Inclusion and Diversity

Message from the Senior Associate Dean of Inclusion and Diversity

Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School strives to achieve a level of gender, racial and ethnic diversity and equity among the faculty and staff reflective of the diversity in our society; to increase the number of under-represented in medicine and women faculty in positions of leadership and in higher academic ranks. Our underrepresented in medicine definition includes Blacks and Hispanics, and women in leadership roles. This, along with the goal of attracting disadvantaged New Jersey residents as medical school applicants, is what is used for the purpose of tracking students, faculty and staff.

Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School has created an Office of Inclusion and Diversity that will be led by Patricia Whitley-Williams, MD, professor of pediatrics and chief of the Division of Pediatric Allergy, Immunology and Infectious Diseases. Dr. Whitley-Williams will begin her role as the senior associate dean for Inclusion and Diversity, effective immediately. As a thought leader and chief enabler for inclusion and diversity, Dr. Whitley-Williams will work with the medical school community to foster an inclusive, diverse and equitable environment where all faculty, staff and students from differing backgrounds can excel and achieve their goals. Under her leadership and guidance, the new office will have responsibility for the oversight of all inclusion and diversity activities that support trainees, faculty and staff members of the school.

Responsibilities of the newly created office include: creating a vision and strategy to support our commitment to being an inclusive and diverse learning, teaching and working environment; implementing systems to encourage and promote inclusion and diversity strategies and goals; fostering an inclusive and diverse culture; partnering with others at Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences and Rutgers University to address disparities in the patient experience, including quality of care outcomes, patient satisfaction and safety; and the implementation of a new strategic plan for diversity.

A Message From Dean Amy Murtha

At Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are essential pillars for excellence in education, patient care, research, and community health. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive community where everyone feels valued, respected, and supported.

We understand that diversity encompasses race and ethnicity, as well as gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, disability status, and more. By valuing and embracing these differences, we create an environment that fosters innovation, critical thinking, and cultural competence.

Our commitment to equity means that we provide equal opportunities for growth, advancement, and success to all members of our community. We encourage open dialogue, active listening, and respectful engagement. We prioritize creating spaces where diverse voices are heard and valued. By fostering a sense of belonging, we ensure that everyone feels supported and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives and talents.

We know that creating lasting change requires a collective effort. We firmly believe that it is through embracing diversity and cultivating an inclusive culture that, together, we can create an environment that celebrates our differences, drives innovation, and ultimately improves the health and well-being of all individuals.

Amy P. Murtha, MD
Dean
Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

Mission and Vision Statements

Mission

Robert Wood Johnson Medical School is dedicated to transforming health care for New Jersey and the nation through innovation and excellence in education, research, patient- and family-centered care and addressing the health of our diverse community.

Vision

Robert Wood Johnson Medical School will become the academic engine driving a new healthcare paradigm in New Jersey; the state’s first and largest academic high-value health care system.

Core Values

R -- Respect, dignity and humanism for the diverse population we serve

W -- Wellness and resilience

J -- Joining learners hand in hand with care delivery

M -- Making patients first with safe, compassionate, high-quality care

S -- Science to advance human health

Rutgers University Land Acknowledgement

We acknowledge that the land on which we stand is the ancestral territory of the Lenape People. We pay respect to Indigenous people throughout the Lenape diaspora – past, present, and future – and honor those who have been historically and systemically disenfranchised. We also acknowledge that Rutgers University, like New Jersey and the United States as a nation, was founded upon the exclusions and erasures of Indigenous peoples

Recognition and Respect

Rutgers University sits on the traditional territory of the Lenni-Lenape, called "Lenapehoking." To recognize the land is an expression of gratitude and appreciation to those whose territory you reside on and a way of honoring the Indigenous people who have been living and working on the land from time immemorial.

Visit the Rutgers University Equity and Inclusion page to find resources, continued learning and more