Our Values
Statement on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
The Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont values diversity as a driver of
excellence. We actively seek diversity and inclusion within our academic community of
students, faculty, and staff, as well as those we serve through teaching, research, patient
care and community engagement.
In alignment with the mission of the University of Vermont and the College of Medicine
to serve the citizens of Vermont, we seek to educate and provide physicians for the state of
Vermont. We will work to encourage Vermonters to pursue careers in medicine, and actively
recruit and educate Vermonters who are more likely to stay and practice in the state. We aim
to provide the opportunity for exposure to a faculty and to patient populations that are more
diverse than the population of our state by developing clinical training sites outside of
Vermont.
We embrace diversity in its broadest forms, encompassing and exploring the
dimensions of not only racial and ethnic diversity, but also gender, gender identity, sexual
orientation, religion, belief, thought or philosophy, disability, education level, socioeconomic
background, Veteran status, and life experience. We strive to provide an education and a
culture that is accepting and supportive of this broader diversity. We are guided by the
tenets in UVM: Our Common Ground and are committed to creating a culture that supports
and encourages respect for every individual, recognizes and values our diverse backgrounds.
Because health cannot exist where justice does not prevail, we commit to extending these
values to the wider community by engaging individually or collectively to advocate for health
equality and justice in our community, state, country and the world in which we live.
Our Common Ground
- RESPECT: We respect each other. We listen to each other, encourage each other and care about each other. We are strengthened by our diverse perspectives.
- INTEGRITY: We value fairness, straightforward conduct, adherence to the facts, and sincerity. We acknowledge when things have not turned out the way we had hoped. As stewards of the University of Vermont, we are honest and ethical in all responsibilities entrusted to us.
- INNOVATION: We want to be at the forefront of change and believe that the best way to lead is to learn from our successes and mistakes and continue to grow. We are forward-looking and break new ground in addressing important community and societal needs.
- OPENNESS: We encourage the open exchange of information and ideas from all quarters of the community. We believe that through collaboration and participation, each of us has an important role in determining the direction and well-being of our community.
- JUSTICE: As a just community, we unite against all forms of injustice, including, but not limited to, racism. We reject bigotry, oppression, degradation, and harassment, and we challenge injustice toward any member of our community. We work actively to eliminate discrimination in health care, as well as barriers to health, and to advocate for the availability of health care for all.
- RESPONSIBILITY: We are personally and collectively responsible for our words and deeds. We stand together to uphold our common ground.
Updated, April 2018