Dear Student,
Greetings!
As Associate Dean of the Office for Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) at Ohio State’s College of Medicine, I would like you to strongly consider pursuing your medical education at OSU. The Office of Diversity & Inclusion is committed to helping you realize your dream of becoming a physician and to making your stay here both personally and professionally rewarding.
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Leon McDougle, MD, MPH |
At OSU, which is located in Columbus, Ohio, we believe a diverse population enriches the educational experience of all our students, and we know that minority physicians are key health care providers for our nation’s underserved population. Thirty-seven students who are underrepresented in medicine (URM) matriculated in its entering class of 2011. Some of these students completed our MEDPATH post-baccalaureate program, while others were awarded renewable merit-based scholarships currently valued at $124,000 over four years.
The medical college is affiliated with The Ohio State University Medical Center, and is recognized as one of "America’s Best Hospitals" for the 19th consecutive year by U.S. News & World Report leading the region in 11 categories: cancer, ear, nose & throat, diabetes and endocrinology, gynecology, heart & heart surgery, kidney disorders, orthopedics, rehabilitation, respiratory disorders, and urology.
Student groups are popular at the college, offering their members numerous educational, social and volunteer opportunities. Organizations such as the Ohio State chapter of the Student National Medical Association (SNMA), Aprovechando Salud y Educación (Embracing Health and Education), and the Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association assist communities by providing medical education and health screenings. The Office of Diversity & Inclusion assists the SNMA in providing stimulating speakers for its popular Black History Month lecture series.
Columbus, Ohio is the fifteenth largest city in the United States and boasts an increasingly diverse population which includes representation of 134 nations speaking 105 languages. Our Somalian community is the second largest in the United States. The medical college’s affiliation with the Columbus Free Clinic and the Clinica Latina provides excellent opportunities for medical students to hone their clinical skills and assist culturally diverse patients at the same time.
In August 2012 The College of Medicine inaugurated a new curricular model Lead. Serve. Inspire aimed at preparing physicians of tomorrow with the knowledge, skills and competencies to deliver superior quality care to diverse populations of patients.
The Office of Diversity & Inclusion (ODI) is committed to creating an environment that will facilitate the academic achievement of URM students. That means we will be committed to you. Our services include academic and career counseling, student advocacy, and notification of grants and scholarships for which you may be eligible. The ODI also helps to support educational and recreational experiences that promote personal growth and cultural sensitivity, including travel expenses to attend some professional conferences. At your request, we will help to locate mentors who are compatible with your professional goals and cultural background. We also encourage students to “drop in” at our office in 066 Meiling Hall to let us know how things are going and to assist them in any matter, however small.
Looking ahead, Ohio State medical students pass the United States Medical Licensure Examination (USMLE) at a rate above the national mean. The medical college also prepares you well for residency. Nearly 90 percent of residency program directors surveyed nationally rate Ohio State’s medical school graduates as equal to or better prepared for residency than other medical school graduates.
The ODI web site will assist you in learning more about the college and to provide food for thought as you pursue your professional goals. The application deadline for Ohio State’s College of Medicine each year is November 1. For more information, please call us at (614) 688-8489. Even better, come visit with us. Our office in 066 Meiling Hall is located at 370 West Ninth Avenue in Columbus, Ohio. We will be delighted to answer any questions you may have.
Sincerely,
Leon McDougle, M.D., M.P.H.
Associate Dean
Office for Diversity and Inclusion
