Diversified Approach

Following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis in 2020, a racial reckoning swept across the United States. At IU School of Medicine, Dean Jay L. Hess identified tangible steps needed to ensure the school is welcoming and inclusive of every member of its community. Among them was the creation of a new position: Special Advisor to the Dean and Chief Diversity Officer.

Named to the post was Patricia Treadwell, MD, who has taught at IU School of Medicine for more than 30 years and is now a professor emeritus of pediatrics and dermatology. She is advising the dean on matters of diversity, equity and inclusion across all areas of the school’s mission.

Treadwell said other administrators were doing some of this work already. But, even before the national discussion on race in 2020, underrepresented students were interested in having a go-to contact.

“I see my position as a little bit of overview,” Treadwell said, “collecting information when questions come up in order to try and answer those and bringing my perspective directly to the dean.”

Black students account for 7.9 percent of enrollment at IU School of Medicine—slightly above the national average for medical schools. Treadwell wants to make sure their experience—and those of other underrepresented minorities—is a good one.

“I think we have to have a good climate. The students don’t feel it is always welcoming—that diversity is appreciated,” she said. “We know that diverse students, diverse residents enhance the academic atmosphere and they need to feel appreciated, and need to feel supported.”

Beyond being an advocate for underrepresented students, Treadwell intends to raise awareness about the health disparities minority populations face.

“COVID-19 has shone a light on the health care disparities and what can happen,” she said. “I had given lectures over the past several years about health care disparities, but I think this has been one that is more apparent and a number of individuals have been able to see it.”

Treadwell has considerable experience in both medicine and issues of diversity.

For 17 years, she served as Chief of Pediatric Dermatology at Riley. She’s served for 15 years as chair of the School of Medicine’s Diversity Council, to name a few of her roles.

Treadwell, 67, doesn’t consider her task a long-term role, but one in which she is eager to make a difference. “I came out of retirement to do this,” she said. “This is an issue that certainly speaks to me.”