Ally Training Program

The WMed Ally Training Program serves as a catalyst for culture change at the medical school and is helping to embed the work of diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice into the fabric of the institution. The program involves participation by at least one person from every department and administrative unit at the medical school, in a series of workshop presentations on topics including implicit bias, systemic racism, mental health inequities, LGBTQ+ inequities, gender bias, and ableism. The presentations are being done in partnership with organizations such as ERACCE, Disability Network of Southwest Michigan, OutFront Kalamazoo, Integrated Services of Kalamazoo, Freedom Lifted, and the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC).

The trainings include opportunities for continued dialogue in small group discussions – known as “change chats” – and the Courageous Conversations series presented by the office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness (DEI). The ultimate goal is to foster and grow a culture of inclusion and belonging for everyone at WMed. Faculty and staff who take part in the Ally Training Program will serve as representatives for their department or administrative unit for DEI initiatives and as DEI Champions for WMed’s vision and goals around DEI.

Along with the participating DEI Champions, most of these sessions are open to all faculty, staff, residents, and students at WMed. Dates and time for the 2023 Ally Training series are listed below.  

Calendar invitations for the Ally Training series will be sent out via email by the DEI office. Please email diversityequityinclusiveness@wmed.edu with any questions.