New Assistant Dean for Diversity Appointed

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to announce that Chiquita Collins, Ph.D., will join the Office of Diversity and Cultural Competence (ODCC) as assistant dean. Dr. Collins was identified through a nationwide search.

Prior to joining Hopkins, she served as the health equity research director at Altarum Institute, a nonprofit health systems research and consulting organization serving government and private-sector clients, and has also served on the faculty at several major research universities — University of Illinois-Chicago, Georgia Tech and University of Texas. Dr. Collins is recognized at both state and national levels for her work in health disparities, primarily as they relate to the social context and various societal influences that contribute to health differences (e.g., childhood obesity) among racial/ethnic and socioeconomic groups.

Dr. Collins will direct her expertise toward Johns Hopkins Medicine’s “Diversity & Inclusion 2020” strategic plan, adding quantitative rigor to recruitment and retention efforts, improving cultural competency in patient care, and eliminating disparities in quality of care and outcomes at Johns Hopkins Medicine. Among other duties, she will assist the Office of Diversity and Cultural Competency's efforts to help women and minority faculty balance work/life issues and address barriers to advancement in their careers. (See the “Diversity & Inclusion 2020” plan at hopkinsmedicine.org/diversity/about_diversity/strategic_plan.html)