Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Graduate Medical Education at CHOP

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Graduate Medical Education at CHOP

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) is committed to inclusion and diversity, recognizing that these are critical for creating an equitable and breakthrough experience for every patient, family, employee and member of the communities we serve. Ensuring that diversity, equity and inclusion are within the fabric of our training programs and embedded in medical education is a priority for our institution.

In our ongoing work to have a physician workforce that represents diverse backgrounds and identities, Graduate Medical Education at CHOP focuses on creating a supportive environment for all our residents and fellows. Through initiatives in education, recruitment and outreach, our hope is that as our trainees get world-class clinical and research training, they also grow as physicians who represent the values of CHOP and reflect the diversity of our patient population. 

Community of support for trainees

Multicultural Physicians’ Alliance

CHOP’s Multicultural Physicians’ Alliance (MPA) is made up of URiM residents, fellows and attending physicians committed to creating a diverse workforce that affords the best and most culturally competent care to the patients and families we care for. The MPA is actively involved in creating a family-like community for our URiM physicians at CHOP, and members participate in active recruitment and retention efforts.

Providers of Pride at CHOP

Providers of Pride (POP) is a physician-led network dedicated to identifying and addressing the needs of LGBTQ+ residents, fellows and faculty at CHOP. POP aims to promote an inclusive and equitable environment through education and advocacy. To learn more or get connected with POP, contact popchop1855@gmail.com 

UPHS-CHOP Alliance of Minority Physicians

The Alliance of Minority Physicians (AMP) is an organization founded in 2012 aimed at developing leaders in clinical, academic and community medicine with a focus on supporting residents and fellows who are underrepresented in medicine at CHOP and the University of Pennsylvania Health System (UPHS). AMP has programming and initiatives focused on recruitment, career development, mentorship, professional and social networking, and community engagement. For more information or to get connected, contact amp.uphs.chop@gmail.com

CHOP Employee Resource and Affinity Groups

Watch this brief video to learn about Employee Resource Groups at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Groups that may be of interest:

  • Multicultural Professionals Network (MPN): MPN is a group representing multiple racial, cultural and ethnic groups with a focus on career development, community outreach and fostering a positive work environment that supports employees, patients and families of all ethnicities. For more information or to get connected with MPN, contact mpn@chop.edu
  • WOMEN at CHOP:  Women’s Open Mentoring & Empowerment Network supports women in their career growth and provides resources through workshops, lectures and mentoring to help women maximize work/life balance. For more information or to get connected, contact women@chop.edu.
  • Pride at CHOP: The Pride group fosters a positive work environment that supports employees, patients and families identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning/queer and their allies. This is done through community engagement, education and advocacy, as well as building networks of support within and around CHOP. For more information or to get connected, contact pride@chop.edu.

Educational & research initiatives and opportunities

GME Diversity Subcommittee

This subcommittee of our Graduate Medical Education Committee includes residents, fellows, program coordinators and administrators, and attending physicians and faculty who are committed to ensuring our training programs and clinical care environments are inclusive and equitable for all trainees. 

CHOP Center for Health Equity

This newly funded center at CHOP works in partnership with CHOP’s Healthier Together initiative and CHOP’s Center for Healthcare Quality and Analytics to develop a bold strategic plan to address the impact of healthcare disparities in Philadelphia and beyond.

CHOP PolicyLab

This Center of Emphasis within the CHOP Research Institute strives to achieve optimal child health and well-being by informing program and policy changes through interdisciplinary research. Learn more about PolicyLab's health equity research.

Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics

This UPenn-based group is dedicated to improving health and healthcare by catalyzing collaborative, multidisciplinary research that influences policy and practice.

Pipeline programs & initiatives

Penn Visiting Clerkship for Students Underrepresented in Medicine

The Penn Visiting Clerkship Program was started at CHOP in 2011 to actively recruit URiM students to residency in our Pediatrics program. It has since grown to encompass more than 15 programs across CHOP and the University of Pennsylvania Health System. Rising fourth-year medical students (from racial/ethnic backgrounds underrepresented in medicine) apply to spend a one-month clinical rotation on a sub-internship or elective. During their time here, they are paired with a faculty mentor and resident mentor, meet one-on-one with our Residency Program Director and can participate in a mock interview with one of our Residency Program leaders. Students are funded up to $1,500 for the month (covers housing and travel) and get an introduction to the family of trainees at CHOP.

For questions, contact Jessica Fowler, MD, MPH, at fowlerj@chop.edu.

SUMMR Scholars Program

The Summer Underrepresented Minority Medical Student Research Program aims to increase diversity in the next generation of clinicians and scientists. The program offers a funded summer research experience to medical students (Black, Hispanic, Latino, American Indian and Alaskan natives) who will spend time in both clinical and research environments. 

Institutional support