*See here for details on the UI Underrepresented in Medicine Visiting Student Elective*

  UI Visiting Student Scholars Program Flyer 2024.pdf

The Department of Neurology at the University of Iowa is a melting pot of the best neurologists, staff, and employees, regardless of color, religion, gender and/or sexual orientation.  We acknowledge, respect, and foster diversity, equity and inclusion.  

Our Wellness, Culture, and Belonging (WCB) committee is a group of neurology staff members committed to cultivating a welcoming and safe environment for all our employees. We believe in the principle that everyone can contribute to improving the health and well-being of themselves and others. 

The WCB committee supports our departmental employees by:

• Sponsoring events that promote discussion and education about cultural knowledge, bias, racial disparities, and skills for contributing to a welcoming, inclusive, and equitable workspace 
• Providing a confidential and supportive network for employees who encounter isolation, micro-aggressions, and other experiences that negatively impact their wellbeing 
• Improving individual and group well-being
• Increasing participation and creating interest in personal health management
• Promoting the NESS principle (nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress) in our training program
• Connecting with our local community and brining awareness of neurological disorders, neuroscience, and neurology as a specialty. 

Ongoing initiatives:

• Resident PCP program—facilitating resident access to primary care providers and mental health services (click here for mental health and wellness resources)
• Resident mentoring program—
  • Each resident is assigned a formal faculty mentor
  • Peer mentoring
  • Facilitating sub-specialty interests and mentoring with RISN (Residents Interested in Sub-Specialty Neurology) program
• Community outreach—
  • Residents and faculty staff the neurology clinic at the University of Iowa Mobile Clinic, a free medical service for underserved and uninsured populations throughout the state of Iowa
  • Shadowing opportunities for undergraduate and high school students from underrepresented in medicine backgrounds
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) lecture series—part of our didactic curriculum. Speakers come from our department and other departments within the University of Iowa as well as invited guests from other institutions. Previous topics include: 
  • Promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in medical journal editing
  • Race in the Heartland
  • Responding effectively to patient-initiated harassment
  • Diversity, equity, and inclusion in medical education 
  • Health disparities across the neurological disease spectrum
• DEI book club—a gathering of faculty, staff, and residents to discuss selected books, articles, and documentary films to gain understanding and appreciation of DEI issues in our society 

University of Iowa Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives 

For more information, please visit https://diversity.uiowa.edu

DEI resources 

Graduate Medical Education (GME) Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

• Additional information, GME Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• GME's Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion