Commentary

Wokeness Is Gaining a Toehold In Arkansas Medical Education

  • By Do No Harm Staff
  • February 7, 2023
  • Alice L. Walton School of Medicine

The Alice L. Walton School of Medicine (AWSOM) opened in 2021 with a degree program “that integrates conventional medicine with holistic principles and self-care practices.” Problem is, the school is also integrating wokeness into its recruiting and hiring processes.

Prospective faculty members seeking a position at AWSOM are informed that, in addition to their curriculum vitae and a statement on their teaching philosophy, they will be required to submit a “diversity statement.”

Figure 1. From the “Join Our Team” page at AWSOM.

One of the available positions is for an Assistant Dean of Inclusive Excellence in the Office of Faculty Affairs and Inclusive Excellence:

The Assistant Dean of Inclusive Excellence will work with school leaders to build and guide a team of staff charged with building and fostering a diverse, inclusive, equitable work and learning environment such that our faculty, students and staff can thrive. Areas of responsibility include but are not limited to developing, leading and guiding the development of a DEI plan, facilitate training programs, advocate for policies, programs and processes that enhance our diversity, increase our strength, and ultimately result in excellence. In short, this person will work to create and sustain a professional and inclusive culture/climate. We are building a workplace and learning climate in which inclusive excellence and whole health principles are inextricable parts of our culture and practices.

It’s to be expected that a woke medical school would require its “inclusive excellence” dean to be “committed to diversity and inclusion.” But what about other faculty positions? A Physiology Faculty opening says the ideal candidate will be responsible for curriculum development and instruction of students with “demonstrated experience and expertise in medical education.” Yet, this position is expected to take the same DEI pledge.

AWSOM isn’t finished with infusing DEI into every corner of the school. The Director of Facilities Services, which is responsible for the management of building operation, mechanical systems, and environmental services, is also required to submit a Diversity Statement and meet the DEI commitment skills requirement.

Figure 2. From AWSOM Director of Facilities Services job posting.

AWSOM isn’t expecting its first class to start until 2025, but it is taking measures to ensure the DEI agenda is teed up and ready to go for students, faculty, and even the plant engineer. The residents of northwest Arkansas need to decide if they want wokeness or wellness in their new doctors.