At Michigan Medicine, implementation of the five-year strategic plan ignited a process of shifting the organizational climate that has not only spread across the organization, but has generated national attention.

This past year, the unit received both the 2019 Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) award from INSIGHT Into Diversity and BlackDoctor.org’s 2019–2020 Top Hospitals for Diversity and Equity award. INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine is the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education. Its annual Health Professions HEED Award is a national honor recognizing U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion. BlackDoctor.org is the leading health and wellness destination for African Americans, with an audience of more than 19 million.

In addition, Healthgrades honored Michigan Medicine with its Outstanding Patient Experience Award for 2020. The award recognizes hospitals that deliver an overall positive experience as reported by patients. According to survey results, 80 percent of participants gave University Hospital a 9 out of 10 rating, and 85 percent said they would definitely recommend the hospital to friends or loved ones.

“We are honored that the strategic DEI initiatives that we have instituted are being recognized nationwide alongside health systems that are leading the way for health equity,” said David J. Brown, MD, associate vice president and associate dean of the Office for Health Equity and Inclusion. “ This has set the stage for our developing programs that take a deeper dive into cultural humility, health care disparities and social determinants of health.” This is the first year that Michigan Medicine – University Hospital has received this honor.