The DE&I Committee is dedicated to ensuring MAPA fulfills its responsibility to promote a culture of equity and inclusiveness for Minnesota PAs of all backgrounds across our state, in order to reflect the diverse communities which we serve and ultimately improve the health of our patients and our state.

What is Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion?

Diversity is about representation. It is the collective mixture of human beings and their individual identities co-existing within a specific space. These identities must be considered holistically to include race, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, sex, disabilities, culture, and educational backgrounds.

Equity is about creating a space that promotes fairness for all regardless of their individual identities.

Inclusion is about creating a space where individuals feel they can bring their individual identities without judgment and can feel a sense of belonging and respect. Inclusion in the workplace provides opportunities for people of all identities to participate and have an impact in a meaningful way.

Why DE&I

• Current state of PA profession in MN  

• Importance of diverse student body (Utah article )

• Importance of diverse provider pool (Article 1 ; Article 2; Article 3)

• Racial and Gender Disparities in the PA Profession 

• Importance of mentorship for Black physicians (Article 1 ; Article 2)

• Discrimination in Science (Article 1) 

Additional Resources:

Partnering Organizations

• AAPA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion page

• National Society of Black PAs

• African Heritage Caucus

• LGTBQ Caucus

• Physician Associates for Latino Health

• Physician Assistants of Color 

• Just Added! Medicare Resources for Immigrant Populations/English

• Just Added! Medicare Resources for Immigrant Populations/Spanish 

DE&I Initiative Resources

• CDC Reach program
• AHA DE&I dashboard
• How to improve application pool and matriculation (Article 1 ; Article 2 ) 
• Improve Curriculum 

News

• NCCPA Grantee spotlight: Promoting Equitable Care for Diverse Patients
• AAPA The case for diversity and inclusion in PA cohorts
• Biracial PA pushes for actionable change
• Overcoming the Odds 
• Black medical illustrations
• Inclusive Language Guide for Medical and Health Education by Rosh Review. After reading, take their free Quiz for a Cause: Inclusive Language in Medical Education

Education/Events

AAD’s Skin of Color Curriculum. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Skin of Color Curriculum is intended to serve as a complete, definitive in-patient and out-patient curriculum for the diagnosis and effective treatment of Skin of Color diseases and conditions for practicing dermatologists and dermatology residents. Faculty subgroups include pediatrics, inpatient, outpatient, surgical, and cultural competence. The five courses are available on-demand for free, provide 15.25 CME credits, and expire on 03/08/2025. Learn more

Scholarships

• PA Foundation

• lbgtpa.org

Mentoring

• National Society of Black PAs virtual mentoring
• Systematic Review of Processes that were success to mentor 
• Guidance on mentoring Black residents and fellows 

Have additional questions, ideas, or want to join the work? Please contact the MAPA DEI Committee.