Ross University School of Medicine & Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Partner to Increase Physician Diversity in the U.S.

African Americans make up only six percent¹ of U.S. physicians. With the goal of driving diversity among U.S. physicians, today Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) and Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM) announced a new agreement to help more African Americans attend medical school. FAMU and RUSM are establishing an educational pathway program, making it easier for FAMU graduate school students to study medicine at RUSM. Qualified FAMU students who earn full acceptance into the medical school will receive a scholarship covering full tuition for the first semester. FAMU students will spend the first two years of medical school at the RUSM campus in Barbados.

“This is an exciting opportunity to partner with the Ross University School of Medicine,” said FAMU President Larry Robinson, Ph.D. He added, “For 131 years, FAMU has produced outstanding graduates who are making an impact on society. The University is already noted for being a leading institution of origin for African Americans pursuing degrees in the natural sciences. This partnership will allow us to play an even greater role in the production and development of African-American physicians who will positively change the healthcare outcomes for people from all aspects of society.”

“African-American doctors are woefully underrepresented in the physician workforce, leading fewer African Americans to see a doctor,” said RUSM Dean and Chancellor, William F. Owen, Jr., M.D., FACP. “This has significant negative healthcare outcomes in communities already prone to high rates of chronic diseases. Working with FAMU and other HBCUs, using novel student engagements, validated support programs and senior-level commitments to success, we’re working to address that long overdue challenge to increase the diversity of our nation’s physicians.”

RUSM recently announced a similar agreement with Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science. And as part of its continued commitment to addressing diversity in medicine, RUSM’s parent company, Adtalem Global Education (NYSE: ATGE), signed on to the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Partnership Challenge created by the Congressional Bipartisan HBCU Caucus, pledging to invest in creating strategic collaborations with HBCUs and working to increase diversity in key workforce sectors.