Diversity and Minority Affairs



Danna Peterson, MD, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs/Diversity and Minority Affairs is charged with supporting the Medical School’s mission to encourage diversity in medical education and the medical profession.

The Office is responsible for various aspects of academic, professional and social life of medical student underrepresented in medicine.  The support includes advice and assistance with academic and personal issues as well as career counseling.  A mentoring program is being established for minority students through this office in addition to the advising system available to all students. The office also assists in supporting the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered students.  The Assistant Dean provides advocacy for the underrepresented students at the Basic and Clinical Science Academic Evaluation Boards.  The Assistant Dean with the help of other minority faculty, and the Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity organizes annual social events.  The Assistant Dean is the faculty advisor to the Student National Medical Association (SNMA) Chapter at the School and the Asian Pacific Medical Student Association Chapters. 

The Office also provides support for the underrepresented in medicine residents in the Graduate Medical Education programs at UMass Memorial (all residency and fellowship programs).  This support consists of retention, career counseling and mentoring.  There is an active and organized minority resident recruitment program.  Minority and other faculty assist in mentoring these students. 

Contact: 
Danna Peterson, M.D.,Assistant Dean for Student Affairs/ Diversity and Minority Affairs
Janice Robert, Administrative Assistant

OUTSIDE OPPORTUNITIES: information on outside scholarships, contests, awards including minority and underrepresented students:

http://www.umassmed.edu/studentaffairs/fellowshipetc.aspx