ABOUT the office of Diversity
Established in 1968, the office of Diversity assists with the mission of recruiting, counseling, and nurturing minority students as well as fostering diversity among students and faculty. Multiculturalism in the medical school environment is supported. Among other services, students receive counseling to help them adjust to medical school and guidance concerning future career choices.
More than 28 percent of the student body represents minority groups. Diversity supports the Black and Latino Students Organization (BALSO), which provides a forum for student participation in campus minority affairs, student recruitment, and service activities in the local community. BALSO also assists the new student pre-enrollment orientation and contributes to a variety of academic support and social events on campus. Through these mechanisms P&S enjoys tremendous diversity throughout its student body, distinct faculty, and varied patient population.
"Columbia’s Location in New York City and numerous affiliates provide a certain richness of culture and ethnicity which is reflected in the way medicine is taught at P&S"
---Kimberly A. Forde, ‘01
