Office of Multicultural Affairs
Commitment to Diversity
Recognizing that the full diversity of the American population is not represented by the physician workforce, the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine is committed to the recruitment and retention of a diverse class of students.
About the Office of Multicultural Affairs
The Office of Multicultural Affairs, led by William A. McDade, MD, PhD, Associate Dean for Multicultural Affairs and Rosita Ragin, Assistant Dean for Multicultural Affairs, works to ensure a supportive academic environment for underrepresented minorities at our school. Among the nation's highest ranked medical schools, the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine has achieved one of the most diverse student bodies.
- "The Changing Face of Medicine," a discussion of diversity at the Pritzker School of Medicine, highlighting Dr. William A. McDade - Medicine on the Midway, Spring 2008
- "Pritzker Program Hopes to Spark Interest in Medicine in High School Students" - Chicago Tribune, January 25, 2009
- "A Mentor Celebrates 20 Years at Pritzker," honoring Rosita Ragin's service to the Pritzker School of Medicine - The Forefront
- Pritzker Class Composition
The Office of Multicultural Affairs oversees the Bowman Society Lecture Series, an NIH-sponsored summer research program for first year medical students, and three NIH-sponsored pipeline programs designed to prepare and inspire talented undergraduate students and high schoolers interested in pursuing a career in the medical field.
William A. McDade, MD, PhD
Associate Dean for Multicultural Affairs
Associate Professor of Anesthesia & Critical Care
Dr. McDade supports the Pritzker School of Medicine’s commitment to providing ample opportunities for diversity within the institution. The rich foundation for success that minority high school and college students will find in our pipeline programs is guided by Dr. McDade. This groundwork for success is continued into medical school, with his oversight of the Bowman Society. This group offers a forum for scholarship and the opportunity for mentorship, helping to support the continued professional and personal development of minority students and faculty members. Dr. McDade also serves on the Provost's Committee on Unlawful Harassment, as well as on the University of Chicago's Committee on Student Life. Both Assistant Dean Ragin and Dr. McDade hold advising meetings individually with each underrepresented minority student twice per year. Dr. McDade assumes the additional role of faculty advisor to the Student National Medical Association (SNMA) chapter as well as the American Medical Association-Medical Student Section (AMA-MSS) chapter at Pritzker.
Rosita Ragin
Assistant Dean for Multicultural Affairs
Assistant Dean Ragin has more than 26 years of experience working in medical education. For the past 20 years, she has worked at Pritzker with medical and graduate students with a special focus on recruiting and retaining medical school students in order to increase diversity in medicine. She joined with Dr. McDade to staff the Office of Multicultural Affairs. Assistant Dean Ragin is responsible for advising Pritzker students, recruiting medical school students, organizing three summer pipeline programs, and administering grants from the National Heart Lung Blood Institute and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. During her time at the University of Chicago, Assistant Dean Ragin has worked to improve the quality of life for Pritzker students by providing a consistent core of caring accompanied by an open door to students.
