Faculty Diversity Scholars Program (FDSP)

The FDSP, administered by the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs, is part of UMMS’s multifaceted approach to workforce diversity. The primary goal of the FDSP is to recruit new faculty (including the School of Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and the Graduate School of Nursing) from underrepresented groups in the health sciences and to support their successful academic career advancement. In order to address departments with minority underutilization, African American and Hispanic/Latino(a) faculty are among the underrepresented groups who specifically would benefit from this program.

For complete program information, view or download the FDSP outline with appendix

Javier Gordon Ogembo, PhD

Stephanie Rodrigues, PhD

Current Recipients

Javier Gordon Ogembo, PhD (Medicine) 2012-2015
Stephanie Rodrigues, PhD (Psychiatry) 2012-2015

Past Recipients

Rashelle Hayes, PhD (Medicine) 2009-2012
Sonia Ortiz-Miranda, PhD (MaPS) 2008-2012
Benjamin Nwosu, MD (Pediatrics) 2008-2011
Onesky Aupont, MD, MPH, PhD (Pediatrics) 2005-2008
Chyke Doubeni, MD, MPH (Family Medicine) 2004-2006
Abraham Ndiwant, EdD, RN (GSN) 2002-2007
Ethel Gordon, PhD (Medicine) 2000-2003
Maria Garcia, MD (Medicine) 1999-2002
Joaquin Cortiella, MD, MPH (Anesthesiology) 1998-1999
Samuel Abrokwah, MD (Anesthesiology) 1997-1998

Position Requirements

A scholar must be a benefitted employee of UMMS or UMMHC and maintain an active UMMS faculty appointment at or above the rank of Instructor in accordance with the academic personnel policies of the appropriate school. Academic promotions and re-appointments shall also be in accordance with the academic personnel policies of the appropriate school. All candidates are required to be eligible for future promotion including board-certification where applicable.

Project Period and Funding Resources

Departments may request a project period of 3 years and a budget of up to $300,000.00. Proposals are accepted on an ongoing basis. Awards issued under this program are contingent upon the availability of funds at the time of application.

Application Process

Upon identifying a potential applicant, the Department Chair will contact the VPFA to discuss the applicant and the application process. After the discussions have occurred and opportunity has been determined, the Chair will submit the applicant’s package including budget justification to the VPFA. An interview with the applicant, the mentor, and the Department Chair by three members of the FDSP Oversight Committee will be required as part of the application process.

Funding requests are reviewed on a rolling basis and are evaluated on:

• Availability of departmental resources
• Department’s commitment and plans for supporting the career success of the candidate during and after the FDSP funding period
• Appropriate mentorship
• Applicant’s potential for career advancement and promotion of the diversity goals of UMMS
• Availability of FDSP program resources