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Welcome To Our Institution!

The University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson Office of Access, Community and Belonging welcomes you!  

At the University College of Medicine - Tucson, we believe that Inclusive Excellence is fundamental to the advancement of science and education, an equitable work environment, and for providing the best care possible to our patients and their families. We consider a wide range of life experiences as part of diversity, including rural heritage, economic background, sexual orientation, age, disability and ability, and culture and belief systems. We support the active recruitment, training, and retention of a medical and research workforce that reflects the demographics of Arizona and is prepared to meet the academic, research, and clinical care needs of diverse communities within our state and beyond.  The Office of Access, Community, and Belonging seeks to engage all students, residents, fellows, faculty, and staff in creating a robust, innovative academic environment that welcomes, celebrates, and supports everyone. Our office collaborates with administrative units throughout the College of Medicine - Tucson, including Admissions, Student Affairs, Medical Student Education, Graduate Medical Education, and Faculty Affairs as well as multiple affinity groups to meet the needs of our constituents and build the pipeline into health-related careers.

Whether you are a visitor, alumni, prospective or current student, resident/fellow, faculty, or staff, we invite you to take a closer look at our institution. You will find a group committed to enhancing the climate to produce professionals who are prepared to address the healthcare needs of our community through patient care and research.

Sincerely,

Celia Valenzuela, MD

Vice Dean for Access, Community, and Belonging
Associate Professor, Obstetrics and Gynecology
The University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson

 

Spotlight on Diversity

Individual Profiles

Raquel Givens, Accreditation Director

The elements of diversity that I represent are Women of Color, Latinas, and Mexican-Americans. These identites afford me perspectives that represent those of our larger Tucson community that include prospective student, faculty and staff.

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Roberto Swazo, MD

As a 3rd generation Puerto Rican American, I pride myself in being able to be an example to the Latino community, and always strive to advocate for members of that same community. The strength that I bring to the table is that of adaptability; because of my life experiences, I’ve been fortunate enough to form a personality that is malleable and allows me to create immediate personal connections with people.

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Ricardo Ayala, Medical Student

I am very proud to be a first-generation American who is maximizing the resources, opportunities and freedoms that this great nation offers. I proudly represent Mexican-Americans as an under-represented minority in the healthcare field. Lastly, I bring the perspective of a former salesman, a husband, a father and the attitude that all dreams can be achieved if willing to work hard for it without ever giving up.

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Why is diversity, equity, and inclusion important to your department?

Department of Physiology

The Department serves a very diverse undergraduate and graduate student population.  Many Physiology and Medical Science majors are first in the family college attendees. 

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University of Arizona Family Medicine Residency

Working with diverse and underserved populations has been a key tenet of our residency program since the early 1970s. In the past decade, we have refined our understanding of diversity and inclusion and continue to grow in this understanding and our actions to live out this core value.

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ANAMS Student Video Project: Pass The Stethoscope!

In honor of Native American Heritage Month (November 2020), our office worked with COMT students, faculty and residents from ANAMS (Association of Native American Medical Students) to complete a video project on #passthestethoscope.