Commitment to Inclusive Excellence
The School of Nursing actively fosters an environment of inclusive excellence that welcomes diversity among its students, faculty, and staff. Awareness of diversity and promotion of inclusivity is central to our curricula, social and educational events, and resources and services.
We embrace a definition of diversity that acknowledges the intersection of multiple factors, perspectives, and identities, which include but are not limited to: race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, nationality, religion, age, and physical characteristics.
In 2021 the School received an Insight Into Diversity magazine’s Health Professions HEED (Higher Education Excellence in Diversity) Awards.
Inclusive Excellence Plan (pdf) Anti-Racism Commitment (pdf)
Connect with us
Our tradition of integrated research and practice focuses on the needs of those whose health status or social condition leaves them vulnerable or places them at risk. Our collaborative innovations increase the diversity of participation in healthcare research, promote sharing of diverse interprofessional perspectives, provide tools to support those working with vulnerable populations, and enhance community engagement.
Get Involved
2022-2023 Interprofessional Equity & Diversity Lunch & Learns
Join our interprofessional community for a series of free workshops and conversations focused on topics related to equity, diversity and inclusion that deeply impact our work and our practice. The series meets online, and registration is required for each workshop.
Native Nations Nursing, Helpers, & Healers Summit
The Native Nations Nursing Summit, held in November, focuses on educating nurses about the public health needs of Wisconsin Native communities while highlighting the use of an integrated team model in healthcare.
The Canary Savage Girardeau Award for Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Named in honor of the first African American graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Nursing, this award is presented to a graduate, current student, faculty, or staff member from the School of Nursing for notable work or responsive advocacy that reflects the School’s commitment to health equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Multicultural Student Nurse Organization
The Multicultural Student Nurse Organization is a student-founded and directed organization dedicated to improving students of color’s experiences, expertise, and preparedness for succeeding in nursing curriculum and professions and for caring for patients of all backgrounds across care settings.
Badger Nurse Mentorship Program
The School of Nursing created the Badger Nurse Mentorship Program to build more connections between our alumni and current students. One of the most effective ways to build a sense of belonging for students of color is to pair them with alumni of color who have similar experiences. For this reason, the Badger Nurse Mentorship Program pairs students and mentors using a variety of criteria, which includes pairing them based on their racial/ethnic background if they desire.
Underrepresented Student and Alumni Reception
The underrepresented student and alumni reception is an annual event held in the fall for all nursing students and alumni who identify as racial/ethnic minorities. The event is an opportunity to engage students of color and alumni of color with networking and community building activities.
Inclusion Across Campus
Events
- June
- June 6
- June 8Moving from Resistance to WritingNational Center for Faculty Development and Diversity1:00 PM, Online
- June 16
- June 20
- June 30
Understanding diversity is an ongoing process that involves lifelong learning, and we believe that this continued learning is crucial to improving health, ensuring equity, and providing a positive, supportive climate in which all individuals are welcome.
DEI in Research and Practice
Data for All
School of Nursing staff and alumni are demonstrating why diversity within research is critical to health outcomes.
School of Nursing Announces the Canary Savage Girardeau Award for Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
The UW–Madison School of Nursing is proud to announce the establishment of a new award. Named in honor of the first Black alumnus of the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Nursing, The Canary Savage Girardeau Award for Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion reflects the School of Nursing’s commitment to building health equity through diversity and inclusion in nursing education and health care.
Maichou Lor Named 2022-23 UW–Madison Outstanding Woman of Color
School of Nursing Assistant Professor Maichou Lor ’11, MS’12, Cert’14, PhD’17, RN, has been named one of UW–Madison's Outstanding Women of Color for the 2022-23 year.
More than Medicine
Professor Linda D. Oakley, PhD, RN, is taking a heart-health message to historically marginalized Black communities and nursing students. As the Louis J. and Phyllis Clark Jacobs Professor in Mental Health, Oakley is committed to using science to find health and well-being solutions to systemic hypertension present in Black communities.
School of Nursing Earns INSIGHT Into Diversity 2022 Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award for Second Year
For the second straight year, the UW–Madison School of Nursing has been selected as a Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award recipient by INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education.
- More Stories about Diversity & Inclusion
DEI Resources
Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity in Nursing Resources
A collection of downloadable and web-based articles and resources to help understand and teach about diversity issues in nursing. We can help connect you with other resources that you need.
