First Objective:
Establish a database of MUSC’s resources related to diversity, cultural competency and health disparities within one year.

First Related Strategy - Identify underrepresented faculty, trainees (e.g. residents, post-doctoral fellows, interns), and students at MUSC,; identify relevant issues associated with under representation; and evaluate existing initiatives addressing these initiatives.

Second Related Strategy Identify current assessments, curricula, continuing education programs, other educational forums (e.g. orientations, workshops), and evaluation programs that focus on 1) the promotion of diversity and cultural competency, 2) impacting health disparities, and 3) caring.

Second Objective:
Increase MUSC’s human and educational resources related to diversity, cultural competency and health disparities within five years.

First Related Strategy - Create and implement a plan for fostering a university culture that demonstrates respect for all individuals as an integral component of the educational process.

Second Related Strategy - Create and implement an plan for enhancing existing curricula and creating new continuing education programs and other educational forums (e.g., orientation, elective and required training) and assessment/evaluation tools that focus on diversity, cultural competency, impacting health disparities and caring.

Third Related Strategy - Attain demographics of underrepresented (e.g. minorities, women) faculty, students, and trainees that reflect the demographic proportions of the citizens of South Carolina through targeted recruitment and retention initiatives.

Fourth Related Strategy - Establish a distinguished visiting professor program to bring underrepresented faculty with expertise in addressing health disparities to MUSC for six (6) months or longer.

Third Objective:
Enhance awareness and utilization of MUSC’s resources related to the university’s commitment to diversity, cultural competency and impacting health disparities by students, faculty, staff, trainees, other health professionals, and the general community through a targeted information campaign.

First Related Strategy - Assess current levels and create mechanisms to communicate information related to diversity, cultural competence and health disparities to MUSC’s internal and external constituencies (e.g. Web site, public service announcements, dedicated media coverage, employee and student orientation and ongoing training, etc.).

Second Related Strategy - Assess the impact and effectiveness of new communication mechanisms (as measured by surveys, increased access and use of resources, etc.) and modify as indicated.

Fourth Objective:
Implement risk reduction and preventive education programs related to health disparities.

First Related Strategy Develop and fund risk reduction and prevention programs.