New Associate Dean for Diversity Appointed

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to announce that Chiquita Collins will assume the position of associate dean for the Office of Diversity and Cultural Competence. Dr. Collins was recruited in July 2012 and has carried on the work of Dr. Brian Gibbs since his departure.

Dr. Collins is focusing her efforts on developing and implementing strategies to foster a culture of inclusion, civility and equity for all Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine members—faculty, residents, fellows, students and staff. Her goal is to help them experience a genuine sense of belonging, engagement and achievement through academically and culturally based initiatives. To that end, she will oversee efforts to address a broad spectrum of issues:

• Fostering diversity in education, training—housestaff and postdoctoral students—and professional development;
• Incorporating innovative strategies to recruit and retain exceptional and talented faculty who represent a culturally diverse national pool within academic medicine;
• Minimizing the potential impact of unconscious bias in faculty and leadership search committees;
• Identifying and implementing metrics, monitoring progress toward diversity, as well as building momentum for cultural change;
• Maintaining accountability among executive leadership for diversity and inclusion; and
• Developing a clearinghouse of tools and resources for the community-at-large.

Prior to joining Johns Hopkins, Dr. Collins served as the health equity research director at Altarum Institute, a nonprofit health systems research and consulting organization serving government and private-sector clients. She 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 it relates to the social context and various societal influences that contribute to health differences (e.g., childhood obesity) among racial/ethnic and across socioeconomic groups. Please join me in wishing Dr. Collins success in her important new role.

Janice Clements, Ph.D.
Vice Dean, Faculty
Johns Hopkins Medicine