Touro University Nevada Works to Strengthen Diversity Efforts On and Off Campus
From current students to prospective students, the university is working to ensure that Touro’s student body is reflective of the populations they will serve after graduation.
Touro University Nevada received a $4 million donation from the Engelstad Foundation, $3 million of which will go toward the university’ first endowment. The donation allows Touro to continue recruiting the best and brightest students from across the country, in addition to students from underrepresented groups who may not have the financial means to attend Touro.
“Touro’s mission: to serve, to lead, and to teach, strongly reflects our own values,” said Engelstad Foundation Trustee Kris Engelstad McGarry. “We know that this gift will help improve the lives of Touro’s students as well as the Southern Nevada community.”
Understanding the importance of diversifying the university’s student population, Touro University Nevada’s Associate Dean of Students Rolando Flores met with Latino Medical Students Association (LMSA) members from UNLV, Nevada State College, and the College of Southern Nevada last year to learn how Touro could start its own chapter.
Touro’s own LMSA organization now has more than 20 members and is expected to be nationally recognized as its own chapter in January.
“Our hope is that the students involved in LMSA can serve as inspiration for Latino undergraduate students who might feel unsure of themselves,” Flores, Touro’s LMSA Advisor, said. “The peer support they get from this group will help make them stronger doctors and healthcare professionals.”
Hispanic Outlook on Education, a national publication dedicated to exploring education news, innovations, resources and the latest trends impacting Hispanic students, also ranked Touro University Nevada’s College of Osteopathic Medicine as one of the top-10 schools for Hispanics in the nation.
“Diversity amongst our students and educators strengthens our goal to impact the healthcare of the entire community we live within,” said Shelley Berkley, CEO & Senior Provost of Touro University Nevada. “We are honored to be acknowledged with this ranking and strive to provide a unique and positive learning environment for all of our students.”
Touro has also partnered with the Clark County School District (CCSD) to work with several federal grant programs that target minority students. The university also hosts Advancing Youth in Medical Education (A.Y.M.E.) Day for CCSD students and Pre M.E.D.S. Day for undergraduate students to get hands-on introductions to medicine.
