November 04, 2022
Dear University of New Mexico Health & Health Sciences community,
We are excited to announce an upcoming, vital and relevant initiative to support inclusive excellence, belonging and equity on campus. During 2022-2023, UNM Health & Health Sciences will undertake a climate assessment related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). We are eager to hear your voice. This communication is to inform you about this important initiative and that we will be inviting everyone to participate in the Health and Health Sciences DEI climate survey in Spring 2023. As the project progresses, we look forward to sharing several opportunities for the UNM Health & Health Sciences community to provide input on the organizational climate related to DEI, how it can be improved, and what is working well.
Creating and maintaining a community environment that respects individual needs, abilities, and potential is critically important. A welcoming campus climate is grounded in mutual respect and experiences of belonging, is nurtured by civil dialogue and interactions, and is foundational to the UNM Health & Health Sciences.
This work will dovetail with our current UNM Health & Health Sciences Strategic Planning process and will inform our goals and priorities. The results of the assessment will enable us to make informed, lasting changes to promote a climate of fairness, and equitable access for all.
To ensure full transparency and provide a more complete assessment, we have contracted with Rankin Climate, LLC to help us in this effort. Rankin Climate has conducted over 230 campus climate assessment projects over the last 20 years. A team from Rankin Climate will be working with a committee of UNM Health & Health Sciences learners, trainees, staff and faculty to develop and implement the assessment. The results will inform our Health and Health Sciences DEI climate priorities and action items to better meet the needs of the community.
A DEI climate website is being developed to provide communication on the process and results. We will forward this site and additional information as it is available.
It is our hope that you will join in support of this transformative project, and we look forward to engaging with you as the project progresses.
Sincerely,
Douglas Ziedonis MD, MPH
Executive Vice President (EVP) for UNM Health Sciences &
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the UNM Health System
Valerie Romero-Leggott, MD
Vice President and Executive Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer
University of New Mexico Health & Health Sciences