The SOM Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion has announced the first round of DEI Mini Grant Awardees in the award program’s 2022 pilot year.

The UNC School of Medicine Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion has announced the first round of DEI Mini Grant Awardees in the award program’s 2022 pilot year. The awards range from $1,500 – $2,000 and are available to support DEI requests and projects including research, programs, conferences, trainings and more.
The 2022 awardees are:
Rick Baker, Qi Zhang, Silvia Ramos, Laura Lindsey-Boltz, Darex Vera-Rodriguez, Jean Marie Mwiza, and Kanishk Jain (Biochemistry and Biophysics)
Supporting DEI initiatives at the Biochemistry and Biophysics (BCBP) department retreat in October 2022, including a keynote speaker from a historically underrepresented background and a roundtable discussion on actionable DEI initiatives within the BCBP department.
Dominique Ellerbe, Tonia Poteat, and Jennifer Williams (Social Medicine)
Developing and presenting a webinar series for LGBTQ people that offers affirming and accurate support around life skills, employment, and financial literacy.
Jennifer Fuchs, Nadia Hoekstra, and Kisa Wilson (Pediatrics)
Supporting a monthly longitudinal DEI curriculum for pediatric fellows that provides education as well as a regular safe space to discuss related issues.
Gabrielle Hodgins and Tyehimba Hunt-Harrison (Psychiatry)
Implementing the Black Beauty Kit initiative. This initiative aims to promote patient-centered, equitable care for patients admitted to the UNC inpatient psychiatric units.
Sheryl Jordan, Paul Marini, and Michele Clark (Radiology)
Helping to support the administrative needs of the Mauricio Castillo Diversity and Inclusion Scholars program.
Gretchen Mason, Judithe Louis, and Samantha Campbell (Social Medicine)
Attending and participating at the Facing Race National Conference, the largest multiracial, intergenerational conference for educators, creatives, and other leaders.
Megan M. Patterson and Rick Baker (Orthopaedics)
Hosting a Perry Initiative Medical Student Outreach Program at UNC-Chapel Hill. The Perry Initiative is a national program created to encourage women to pursue careers in orthopaedics and engineering.
Megan M. Patterson and Philip Clark (Orthopaedics)
Supporting scholarships for fourth year medical students from underrepresented backgrounds who have a competitive application for orthopaedic residency.
Jennifer Vonderau and Chileatha Wynn (Health Sciences)
Creating a medical Spanish curriculum, summer 2022, affording students the opportunity to learn medical terminology and learn components of the medical interview.
If you are interested in applying for a DEI Mini Grant, please complete the DEI Mini Grant application and return it to Makayla King. Grants are available for faculty, staff, trainees and students, and application due dates are June 1, Sept. 1 and Dec. 1. Applicants will be notified of their application status by the end of the corresponding month.