The UVA Medical Alumni Association and Medical School Foundation stands against racism and hate. Our organization is committed to supporting the Black community through collaborative initiatives with the UVA School of Medicine as well as our own efforts working directly with students, alumni and housestaff.

We acknowledge that some alumni of the School of Medicine experienced discrimination during their time as students, and that those experiences were painful and cannot be erased. It is our hope that today’s students can benefit from the voices of our alumni, and that our current and future efforts will help bring healing.

These efforts include, but are not limited to:

• Supporting the School of Medicine’s diversity initiatives, including the future hiring of minority faculty and UVA Health’s Chief Diversity and Community Engagement Officer.
• Offering a Student-Alumni Mentoring Program, which will launch in July 2020. The program will match Black alumni with current medical students.
• Providing social media channels on Facebook and Instagram with content of interest to Black medical alumni and current medical students.
• Organizing the first-ever Black Medical Alumni Weekend – originally scheduled for May 2020, this event is now planned for Spring 2021.
• Providing financial support to the UVA chapter of the Student National Medical Association (SNMA) for conference travel, as well as assistance with expenses such as elective away rotations and social gatherings.
• Hosting special MedConnect events for Black alumni and current medical students.
• Providing funds for GME Diversity Days, which provide applicants with an opportunity to ask questions about training programs at the UVA School of Medicine about living in Charlottesville.

In a statement on June 1, 2020, the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) said:

“We are committed to harnessing all of our resources to catalyze meaningful and lasting solutions. We can no longer be bystanders. We must not be silent. But while our solidarity is necessary, it is not sufficient. Together, and in partnership with the communities we serve, we must work together to heal our nation.”

The UVA Medical Alumni Association and Medical School Foundation share this commitment. We appreciate the efforts of Black medical alumni already engaged with us for their willingness to tackle these difficult issues together. We welcome your involvement and your feedback.

Kevan E. VanLandingham, MD ’85
President, UVA Medical Alumni Association

Patrick J. McManus, MD ’85
President, UVA Medical School Foundation

Barry J. Collins
Associate Dean for Alumni Affairs, UVA School of Medicine
Executive Director, UVA Medical Alumni Association and Medical School Foundation