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The UNC School of Medicine has received the 2022 Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine.


The School of Medicine was recognized for its robust DEI infrastructure across campus, numerous efforts designed to provide education and training opportunities for the next generation of doctors, basic science researchers, health scientist, and rural initiatives that improve access to care for all North Carolinians.

As a recipient of the annual Health Professions HEED Award — a national honor recognizing U.S. health colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion — the School of Medicine will be featured, along with 64 other recipients, in the December 2022 issue of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine.

“This is an incredible honor that recognizes all of the work our leadership, faculty, staff and students have done to ensure that the UNC School of Medicine is a welcoming and inclusive working and learning environment for anyone who comes to our campus,” said Nate Thomas, PhD, Vice Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine selected the UNC School of Medicine in recognition of a robust DEI framework and infrastructure across campus and numerous initiatives – such as the Medical Education Development (MED) Program and the Initiative for Maximizing Student Development – designed to provide education and training opportunities for the next generation of doctors and basic science researchers. Additionally, initiatives like the Kenan Rural Primary Care Medical Scholars and the Kenan Urban Primary Care Medical Scholars give medical students and residents firsthand experience with underserved communities across the state and provides them with the tools to help improve access to medical care for all North Carolinians. Learn more about DEI efforts at the UNC School of Medicine in our 2021 Annual Report.

“The Health Professions HEED Award process consists of a comprehensive and rigorous application that includes questions relating to the recruitment and retention of students and employees — and best practices for both — continued leadership support for diversity, and other aspects of campus diversity and inclusion,” said Lenore Pearlstein, publisher of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. “We take a detailed approach to reviewing each application in deciding who will be named a Health Professions HEED Award recipient. Our standards are high, and we look for schools where diversity and inclusion are woven into the work being done every day across their campus.”

  • Help us celebrate our HEED award by adding the Heed Award badge to your marketing and recruitment materials:
  • Find a full list of the 2022 Health Professions HEED Award winners by visiting this site
  • For more information about the 2022 Health Professions HEED Award, visit com
  • For more information about the UNC School of Medicine, visit https://www.med.unc.edu/

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About the UNC School of Medicine

The UNC School of Medicine (SOM) is the state’s largest medical school, graduating more than 180 new physicians this past year. It is consistently ranked among the top medical schools in the country, including 5th overall for primary care by US News & World Report and 6th for research among public universities. More than half of the school’s 1,700 faculty members served as principal investigators on active research awards in 2021. Two UNC SOM faculty members have earned Nobel Prize awards.

About INSIGHT Into Diversity

INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine is the oldest and largest diversity publication in higher education today and is well-known for its annual Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award, the only award recognizing colleges and universities for outstanding diversity and inclusion efforts across their campuses. In addition to its online job board, INSIGHT Into Diversity presents timely, thought-provoking news and feature stories on matters of diversity and inclusion across higher education and beyond. Articles include interviews with innovators and experts, as well as profiles of best practices and exemplary programs. Readers will also discover career opportunities that connect job seekers with institutions and businesses that embrace a diverse and inclusive workforce. Current, archived, and digital issues of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine are available online at insightintodiversity.com.