Anti-Racism Resources

VP&S Anti-Racism Task Force

The Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons (VP&S) Anti-Racism Task Force (ARTF) was commissioned by Deans Anil Rustgi, Jonathan Amiel, and Lisa Mellman as part of a Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC)-wide initiative to confront the issues of structural racism and implement durable antiracist solutions. 

The charge of the Task Force was to recommend best practices in anti-racist undergraduate medical education, focusing on: 

  • Curriculum 
  • Admissions 
  • Student Support 
  • The Learning Environment 

The ARTF used a rigorous, multipronged process for developing recommendations, including engagement with VP&S area directors and experts, review of statements and presentations from student-led groups (White Coats for Black Lives [WC4BL] Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association [AAPAMSA], and the Anti-Racist Coalition), and a review of scholarly literature with a focus on anti-racist initiatives within peer medical schools. The group also reviewed and celebrated the decades of work already in this area by the Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs headed by Hilda Hutcherson, MD, Senior Associate Dean for Diversity and Multicultural Affairs. 

We want to thank the VP&S Task Force Co-Chairs, Linda Aponte-Patel, MD, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, and Sidney Hankerson, MD Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, for their tireless work in setting the stage for our school’s longitudinal work to ensure an anti-racist learning environment.  The VP&S ARTF taskforce called for advancements in the Curriculum, Admissions, Student Support, and the Learning Environment. One fundamental recommendation was to “Launch a new Equity & Justice committee.” 

 

For more information please email: anti-racism@cumc.columbia.edu.  

Read the ARTF Report: Fall 2020

Read the ARTF Report: Fall 2021


VP&S Office of Education Staff Anti-Racism Initiative

The VP&S Office of Education is committed to fostering an environment free of racism, discrimination, and harassment, where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, can contribute fully, and have equal opportunities. The resources listed below are intended to support staff as we strive toward that goal.


VP&S Anti-Racism Coalition 

In response to this core ARTF recommendation as well as others, the Office of Education has launched the VP&S Anti-Racism Coalition (ARC). The ARC represents an interdisciplinary effort to promote a sustainable culture of inclusion and diversity, to create, adopt and strengthen anti-racist educational systems and practices, and to support equity and justice throughout the VP&S learning environment. 

 


VP&S Equity and Justice Fellowship

The mission of the VP&S Equity and Justice Fellowship is to increase equity and justice through curricular programming. Each year, the fellowship class works with Dr. Hetty Cunningham (Director of Equity and Justice in Curricular Affairs) on a variety of projects determined by the fellowship group, critically applying an anti-racist lens to the VP&S curriculum.

Learn More About the VP&S Equity and Justice Fellowship


CUIMC Task Force for Addressing Structural Racism 

The deans of the four Columbia University Irving Medical Center schools appointed a task force in July 2020 to review ways to reduce the impact of racism in health care and the health sciences.

The task force of more than 100 individuals was led by co-chairs Drs. Rafael A. Lantigua, Anne L. Taylor, and Olajide A. Williams. CUIMC leadership will announce measures to implement the action items that are outlined in the report.

View the CUIMC Task Force Report for Addressing Structural Racism 


Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion News at CUIMC

Read about how the CUIMC community is joining together to address systemic racism and create a diverse and inclusive environment.

Explore Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Stories at CUIMC


Anti-Racism Resources at CUIMC

Learn about what resources are available to support and empower the CUIMC community.

Explore Anti-Racism Resources at CUIMC 


Anti-Racist Pedagogy in Action: First Steps

Learn how the Columbia Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) is helping instructors incorporate an anti-racist pedagogy into their personal teaching practice.

Learn More About Developing Anti-Racist Pedagogy at CTL


Columbia’s Commitment to Anti-Racism 

A message from Lee Bollinger, President, Columbia University, outlining the effort Columbia is making to challenge racial and social injustice.

Read the President's Message