Diversity is central to our core values. OHSU’s President created the Diversity Advisory Council to help fulfill one of the six goals of OHSU’s strategic plan, Vision 2020: “to be a great organization, diverse in people and ideas.”

The DAC advises the President and the Executive Leadership Team on enhancing diversity, multiculturalism and equal opportunity for all aspects of the university’s mission. As a campus-wide group, the DAC supports diversity initiatives across the university—everything from helping units understand the business case for diversity to providing practical resources for employees, students, and community members.

The DAC represents all of university’s mission areas and student, staff, and faculty groups. Working together, DAC members enhance communication and collaboration across OHSU’s schools and departments.

Read about our Strategic Plan

Meetings

The Diversity Advisory Council, activated in May 2007, meets bi-monthly with an agenda to enhance diversity throughout OHSU. The DAC explores ways to implement the diversity strategies and tactics in Vision 2020, OHSU’s strategic plan, by fostering a community of inclusion.

DAC meetings are led by the Center for Diversity and Inclusion. Members are appointed by the OHSU President and represent all areas of the university and its mission.

The DAC connects individuals responsible for diversity-related efforts to further the institution’s interest in supporting and promoting diversity and equal opportunity. Teamwork, furthering collaboration among schools and departments, and developing and prioritizing diversity initiatives are key charges of the council.

Contact the Diversity Advisory Council

If you would like to connect with the Diversity Advisory Council, please email dac@ohsu.edu

DAC Membership

Council members are encouraged to address and make recommendations concerning the following issues, as well as others as they are identified including: increasing the recruitment and retention of diverse students, faculty and employees, improving the campus climate, promoting the university’s mission, supporting diversity initiatives, and assuring quality service to diverse patients.

Co-chairs

Leslie Garcia, M.P.A.,  Assistant Chief Diversity Officer,  Assistant Vice Provost, and Director, Center for Diversity & Inclusion

Brian Gibbs, Ph.D., M.P.A., Vice President, Equity and Inclusion

Members

Daisy Alva, Manager, Faculty Employment Contracts, Academic Affairs

Bob Applegate, Associate Director, Community Engagement, Strategic Communications

Kristen Beiers-Jones, M.N., Assistant Professor, Clinical Nursing

Erik Brodt, M.D., Assistant Professor, Family Medicine 

Rossanna Bosch, M.A., Assistant Director, Contracting Services

Stacey Damazo, M.P.H., R.D., L.D., R.N., C.D.E., Registered Nurse, Magnet Nursing Excellence Program

Niyeti Desai, M.A., Program Manager, Knight Regional Outreach

Karen Eden, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Medical Informatics, Women in Academic Medicine Representative

Damien Fair, P.A.-C, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Behavioral Neuroscience

Jessica Flynn, M.D., Clinical Associate Professor, School of Medicine

Michael Foster, Supervisor, Retail Food Service

Tamara Goldsmith, A.R.M., Risk Analyst, Risk Management

Merle Graybill, M.Ed., Ombudsman, Provost Office

Patrick Holmes, Associate Director, Internal Communications

Ian Jaquiss, J.D., Disability Awareness Trainer and Community Outreach Specialist, Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity

Tim Kringen, Senior Advisor, Office of the President

Shea Lott, Ph.D., Research Associate, Clinical Psychology

Kim Lu, M.D., Associate Professor, General Surgery

Michael Matrone, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Affairs Officer, Postdoctoral Affairs

Mark Mitchell, M.A., Associate Dean, Student Affairs, School of Dentistry

Chinetta Montgomery, AFSCME

David Newell, Manager, Delivery and Fleet Services

Iaen Nylund, M.Ed., Learning and Resource Coordinator, Office of International Affairs

Amy Penkin, M.S.W., Social Work Supervisor, Healthcare Partnership Project

Riikka Salonen, M.A., Program Manager, Diversity Talent Acquisition, Human Resources

Laura Stadum, J.D., Director, Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity

Asma Taha, Ph.D., R.N., C.P.N.P.-P.C./A.C., Associate Professor, Director, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program

Jon Waterhouse, Indigenous Peoples Scholar, Center for Coastal Margin Observation and Prediction, Environmental Health

Verian Wedeking, Outreach Program Administrator, Casey Eye Institute

Coordinator

Melanie Wong, Executive Assistant, Center for Diversity and Inclusion