Navigating Diversity Post-SCOTUS Ruling: Insights from AAMC and ACGME Experts

Department faculty participated in a panel at the 2024 Annual Convention & Scientific Assembly of the National Medical Association (NMA) in New York City earlier this month. Moderated by Odi Ehie, MD and Alexandra Bastien, MD, and titled “SCOTUS Ruling and What it Means,” the important and timely discussion offered perspectives from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).  

Renee Navarro, MD, PharmD, Professor of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care and Vice Chancellor of Diversity and Outreach at UCSF, spoke on the Supreme Court ruling to end affirmative action in higher education and what it means from the AAMC perspective while William McDade, MD, PhD, Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer at the AGCME offered an ACGME perspective on the topic. 

Ehie asked Navarro and McDade to analyze the SCOTUS ruling with regard to alignment of AAMC and ACGME goals in diversity, recruitment, retention, and patient representation. 

Navarro highlighted the UC system’s proactive alignment with its diversity and quality of care mission post-Proposition 209, which prohibits UC and other state entities from using race, ethnicity, or sex as criteria in public employment, contracting, and education.   

She emphasized the significance of institutional intentionality at UCSF and other universities. She noted that UCSF has established processes to bolster diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and supports a diversity pillar and statement rather than a strict requirement.

Navarro clarified the ruling’s implications for race-conscious admissions. She pointed out that while the ruling specifies that universities cannot use race-conscious admissions processes, applicants can speak about their lived experience. Navarro encouraged exploring the many methods to serve communities beyond the ruling’s constraints.

McDade offered insights through the ACGME lens, mentioning that the ruling targets prospective students and does not affect current employees. He shared that despite the removal of some DEI titles from admissions, universities continue to promote DEI through other means. 

McDade encouraged attendees to consult state-specific guidelines to understand the ruling’s effects. He reassured that programs nationwide are eager to align with institutional missions and move beyond the ruling’s binary limitations.

This panel will be presented on a larger scale at the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Annual Meeting in Philadelphia in October.