Health Equity and Community Engagement

— College of Medicine — Department of Family Medicine — Health Equity and Community Engagement

Committed to Equity & Inclusion

Our Mission

Our mission aims to create a welcoming, familial, and supportive environment for all those that work for and our served by our department. We strive to foster a culture that seeks out diversity, in thought and background, recognizes the long arm of historical and current social injustices in our community, and actively promotes policies and practices which create inclusion and equity. The Department of Family Medicine is committed to recruiting and supporting residents, fellows, students, faculty, and staff from diverse background that represent the diversity of our patients coming from a wide range of urban, suburban and rural parts of Nebraska and Iowa.

Our Vision

We have set our sights on being a sought after department to work in because members can be their authentic self, be supported to achieve their potential, and their uniqueness is valued. We aim to be leaders in incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusion into all resident, students and faculty education.

Bias and harassment should never occur here or anywhere. The UNMC Department of Family Medicine takes all reports of bias and harassment seriously. There are several ways to report incidents using the tools below. Remember, anonymity is fundamental, however, providing contact information can help us reach out confidentially to obtain more information if needed to better address concerns.

Bias Reporting Tool

All reports are directed to Dr. Phillip Covington and Dr. Sherrita Strong in the Office of Student Success.

Ombuds Program

The UNMC Ombuds are confidential consultants who help faculty, staff and students to solve work and school-related problems and conflicts through off-the-record conversations.

Employee Resource Groups

Employees are encouraged to find authentic connection and community with others by joining an employee resource group. Membership is open to all Nebraska Medicine and UNMC staff and students.

Nebraska Medicine DEI Team

The Nebraska Medicine team works hard to promote inclusion, diversity and belonging efforts to create an inclusive culture.

Department Leadership

Individuals can report to Chair, Dr. Jeffrey Harrison or Dr. Neil Kalsi.

UNMC Title IX

Title IX applies to all educational institutions, both public and private, that receive federal funds.

Access and Campus Culture in Family Medicine

A look at our progress in the Department of Family Medicine

Where We Were

Where We Are

Where We're Going

Activities and programs to promote bias recognition and reduction
1999: Community Health Center track established
2016: Family Medicine primary care services established at Girls Inc. Clinic
2019: Health equity and bias training established as part of intern orientation
2020: Resident orientation health equity and social determinants of health session implemented
2021: Dr. Neil Kalsi named as UNMC Family Medicine Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion lead to guide departments health equity work

2023: Developed and implemented first climate survey to identify key areas of focus
- Better reporting and transparency regarding health equity and community engagement activities and projects.
- Transparency regarding bias incidents to promote safety and community in the department.
- Changing our language and tone at the bedside and in the hallway to reduce and eliminate microaggressions.
- Education on language at Grand Rounds, residency didactics, and faculty development programs.

2024 and beyond: we aim to be leaders in health equity and community engagement, to create a rich and diverse department that promotes the best in one another and enhances our clinical care of our diverse patient populations.
Entrenching bias and health justice issues in all resident, faculty, and staff education.
Encourage reports of bias, microaggressions, and positive changes to continually strengthen our department culture and community.
2024: New family medicine house officers visit I Be Black Girl in North Omaha to learn about reproductive justice and reproductive health disparities in black women.

“The department is committed to an expectation of respect and inclusion for all members and the communities we serve. We value the diversity of culture, experience, and background that contribute to an environment where everyone can feel welcome and thrive.”

Dr. Jeff Harrison
Chair, Department of Family Medicine

Contact Dr. Harrison

Medical students Mark Carter, MD, in black, and Austen Washington, in green, discuss medical exams with Benson High School students.

UNMC hosts Benson high school students

Last month, 15 ninth-grade students from Benson High School’s Health Academy, an elective for students who are interested in the health professions, visited UNMC to meet with UNMC students and tour iEXCEL.

UNMC employees kneel outside the Buffett Cancer Center for White Coats for Black Lives.

Combating Racism in Medicine

This special walking tour, called “Combating Racism in Medicine,” focuses on racial injustices in the health care system. Sponsored by Family Medicine assistant professor, Dr. Jennifer Liu, with contributions from Family Medicine Sub-Intern Mark Carter, and College of Medicine graduate, Dr. Donovan Allen.

UNMC Strategic Plan

Access and Campus Culture

Health Equity and Community Engagement

Nebraska Medicine DEI