Who We Serve
The primary goal of the proposed Maryland College of Osteopathic Medicine (MDCO is to increase the diversity of medical students and practicing physicians in the Delaware, District of Columbia, and Maryland regions.
MDCOM’s mission is to train the highest quality of physicians who match all specialties of medicine and practice in racially and culturally diverse communities throughout the mid-Atlantic region.
Cultural literacy is the initiative-taking desire to better understand various and diverse cultures, their values, beliefs, and behaviors. This component is essential to providing essential health care and ensuring the provision of quality medical services. Physicians who possess cultural understanding are able to overcome cultural obstacles which will positively impact their ability to provide appropriate and effective patient care. Creating a regional diverse physician workforce can improve health outcomes and reduce disparities as minority physicians are more likely to practice in underserved areas and treat more disenfranchised patients.
Facts:
There are currently approximately 200 medical schools on regional campuses in the U.S. offering D.O. or M.D. degrees. Of this number, only four are on HBCU campuses. In 45 years, MDCOM would be recognized as the fifth medical school to operate on an HBCU campus.
Today, most medical schools face challenges in achieving a student body that is racially, ethnically, socially, and geographically diverse.
In 2020 and 2021, the total number of first-year students identifying as Black or African American, Hispanic, Latino, or of Spanish origin, Increased; however, growth was concentrated to a small number of medical schools. This underscores the important contribution of MDCOM as a serving institution building diversity in the physician workforce.
Facts:
The United States is becoming more diverse. By 2044, more than half of all Americans are projected to belong to a minority group
Nearly one in five of the nation’s total population is projected to be foreign born. Having a more diverse student body will reflect favorably on the communities they serve. Physicians who lack cultural understanding negatively impact their ability to provide appropriate and effective patient care. Creating a diverse physician workforce will improve health outcomes and reduce health disparities.
Compared to other races/ethnicities, data reports indicate higher death rates per 100,000 among African Americans who reside in Delaware, the District of Columbia, and Maryland. However, studies have also shown physicians from minority backgrounds were more likely to care for patients from vulnerable populations.
*D.O. stands for Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine.
*M.D. stands for Doctor of Medicine.
