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UNMC partners with Harvard to study women of color in academic medicine

by Jasmine Maharisi, UNMC public relations intern

The UNMC College of Medicine is one of 12 institutions to partner with Harvard

University in a four-year study to determine factors that influence the medical
careers of women of color.

The study, titled "Factors that Promote and Support Careers of Women of Color in
Academic Medicine," will help researchers understand how individuals and academic
institutions, such as UNMC, contribute to the advancement of women of color as
members of medical school faculties.

The study also will examine how social and

cultural elements play a role in a woman's
professional and academic progress.

Funded by a grant from the National Institutes

of Health, the study will include participants
from black, Hispanic, American Indian/Alaskan
Native and Asian American backgrounds.

Myrna Newland, M.D., director of UNMC's

Equity Office and professor of anesthesiology,
Myrna Newland, M.D.
and Phyllis Nsiah-Kumi, M.D., assistant
professor of internal medicine and pediatrics,
will be co-liaisons for UNMC during the study.
Rubens Pamies, M.D., vice chancellor for
academic affairs, will serve as a member of
the institute national advisory committee and
contact person for UNMC.

"The first component of the study will be to

analyze the demographics and institutional
policies in place for each organization," Dr.
Nsiah-Kumi said. "This will give participating Phyllis Nsiah -Kumi, M.D.
organizations the opportunity to see how they
compare with other institutions around the
country."

Researchers hope that by analyzing specific

challenges and opportunities facing women of
color, institutions will be able to make more
informed decisions regarding program design
and faculty development.
Rubens Pamies, M.D.
"Often in studies, all women, regardless of
ethnicity, are categorized as one minority group," Dr. Pamies said. "This research
will contribute significantly to what we understand about the unique variables facing
women of color specifically."

Data will be collected from institutional assessments and faculty assessments

composed of interviews and a Web-based survey scheduled to begin development
and distribution in January 2011.

"It's important that we cultivate a cadre of diverse women of color in academics," Dr.
Nsiah-Kumi said. "Doing so not only benefits the students, but also the surrounding
community."

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