5/31/2012 - The Organization of Black Graduate and Professional Students (OBGAPS) has selected André Churchwell, M.D., associate dean of Diversity for Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, to receive one of the organization’s first Distinguished Faculty Awards. On May 5, OBGAPS hosted its inaugural awards event at the Student Life Center to recognize outstanding faculty and students.

11/17/2011 - André Churchwell, M.D., associate professor of Medicine (Cardiology), Radiology and Biomedical Engineering, has been named associate dean for Diversity for Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, a new leadership position that combines two previously separate offices.

8/25/2011 - George C. Hill, Ph.D., the Levi Watkins Jr. Professor and professor of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, will step down as associate dean for Diversity in Medical Education, effective Sept. 1. Hill will continue to serve the University as assistant vice chancellor for Multicultural Affairs and special assistant to the provost and vice chancellor for Health Affairs. “I am delighted the University will continue to benefit from Dr. Hill’s wealth of experience.

Vanderbilt is emerging as a leader in the effort to diversify the ranks of medical residents and faculty at medical centers across the country. Andre Churchwell, M.D., associate dean for Diversity in Graduate Medical Education, and Donald Brady, M.D., associate dean for Graduate Medical Education, presented a discussion session on the topic at the recent Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC).

More than 150 faculty, staff and residents gathered June 26 for a dinner welcoming 24 new minority house staff residents and four fellows to Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. The dinner, held at the home of Walter Clair, M.D., assistant professor of Medicine, celebrated diversity in graduate medical education and launched the new Minority House staff for Academic and Medical Advancement (MHAMA).

9/28/2007 - André Churchwell, M.D., assistant professor of Medicine, has been named associate dean for Diversity in Graduate Medical Education and Faculty Affairs. “We have become recognized as leaders for our efforts to increase diversity among our medical student population, and I give George Hill (associate dean for Diversity in Medical Education) great credit for that,” said Steven Gabbe, M.D., dean of the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.

Vanderbilt University School of Medicine is implementing a four-year diversity strategic plan aimed at attracting more top-tier minority medical and graduate students as well as faculty, residents and fellows. African Americans, His-panics and Native Americans represent more than 25 percent of the U.S. population but only 6 percent of the physician population. “We find ourselves competing as a group of medical schools for a small pool of top medical students and for a small pool of top faculty,” School of Medicine Dean Steven Gabbe said. “It is very difficult.”

10/25/2002 - When Dr. Levi Watkins Jr. walked through the doors of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine 36 years ago, he broke new ground by becoming the school’s first African-American student. When he graduated four years later, he was still the only one.

5/03/2002 - George C. Hill, Ph.D., professor of Microbiology at Meharry Medical College, has been appointed to a newly created position at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine — Associate Dean for Diversity. Hill, who will begin his new role on July 1, will oversee efforts to promote Vanderbilt as a “receptive, positive environment” for minority faculty, house staff, students and patients. He will report directly to Dr. Steven G. Gabbe, dean of the School of Medicine.