An illustration of paper faces in many different shades to illustrate diversity

Equity and Inclusion

About the Office

The Office of Equity and Inclusion is led by Patricia Whitley-Williams, MD, FAAP, professor of pediatrics and chief of the Division of Pediatric Allergy, Immunology and Infectious Diseases. A thought leader and chief enabler for equity and inclusion, Dr. Whitley-Williams, the Senior Associate Dean of Equity and Inclusion, works with the medical school community to foster an inclusive, and equitable environment where all faculty, staff and students from differing backgrounds can excel and achieve their goals. Under her leadership and guidance, the office is responsible for the oversight of all inclusion and health equity activities that support trainees, faculty, and staff members of the school as well as supporting the broader Rutgers Health Diversity Strategic Plan priorities:

A Message from the Senior Associate Dean of Equity and Inclusion

Patricia Whitley-Williams, Senior Associate Dean for Equity and Inclusion, and Janice Cato Varlack, MD, former assistant dean for student affairs and multicultural affairs, share their interpretations and definitions of justice, inclusion, equity and equality, demonstrating the medical school's commitment to going beyond mere compliance to fostering a more aware and inclusive community.

A Message from the Dean

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

Highlights

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Alumni Spotlight | Xequiel Hernandez, MD

Dr. Hernandez is presently working as the Medical Director at the Institute of Advance Medicine, Mount Sinai – Harlem Health Center, currently providing services focusing on weight management, planning to create incentive programs for provider training, implement pediatric/adolescent weight management, and establish a remote monitoring service for non-treatment-based weight loss.

Celebrating Black History Month

In recognition of Black History Month, Charletta Ayers, MD, associate professor and director of the Division of General Obstetrics and Gynecology in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, was one of 10 individuals featured in Professionally Black, a Rutgers Today project about the lives and experiences of professionals and practitioners from around the university.

Black Maternal Health Week Event 2024

In honor of Black Maternal Health Week, the Office of Inclusion and Diversity collaborated with the Office of Mutlicultural and Student Affairs and RWJUH in hosting an awareness event with an educational film showing of 'Toxic: A Black Woman's Story', followed by a panel discussion. CDC data show that Black women are two to three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women, with most of the maternal deaths being preventable. This heightened risk spans all income and education levels.

Resources for Equity and Inclusion

Understand the foundations of Equity and Inclusion and find recommendations for continued reading and learning on our resources page. Tap into additional tools and trainings, and find helpful links to restorative justice and equity resources, bias reporting, counseling and wellness programs, and other services on the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Intranet.

Events

Land Acknowledgement

A map showing the ancestral territories of the Lenape People

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 Rutgers University Equity and Inclusion to find resources, continued learning, and more.

Contact Us

Please reach out to us with any questions, comments, suggestions, or concerns.

Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Office of Equity and Inclusion
Phone: 732-235-6538