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Home/ All Articles/ Creating a Culture of Belonging: Perceptions and Experiences of Inclusion at a US Medical …

Abstract & Article Details

Research Article • Vol.7, Issue 7 • ISSN: 2766-2276 • Open Access • CC BY 4.0

Open Access Research Article Vol.7, Issue 7 July 20, 2026

Creating a Culture of Belonging: Perceptions and Experiences of Inclusion at a US Medical School

DOI: 10.37871/jbres2313
Authors
Sonjia Kenya*, BreAnne Young, Nanette Vega, Mariquit Rosete Lu A, Ashley Gray, Olveen Carrasquillo and Stephen Symes
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Abstract

Medical schools play a significant role in cultivating an inclusive health system. In 2019, the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine (UMMSM) was ranked as the 6th best graduate school in the U.S. for Diversity when the Racial Justice Report Card (RJRC) assigned this institution lowest grade possible. To better understand perceptions of inclusivity among students, faculty, and staff, a campus-wide evaluation was conducted. A mixed-methods survey was administered to query perceptions of on-campus discrimination and overall campus climate. In addition to multiple choice items, participants were invited to detail their experiences in an open-ended format. Among 1,612 respondents, the majority were female (68.7%) and were aged 40-years or older (58.9%). Two-thirds of respondents were staff, 18.2% faculty, and 11.7% students. Quantitative analyses, including Chi-square tests and one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), showed significant associations among race, gender, and perception of campus climate. Three major themes emerged from thematic analysis of the open-ended items: (1) inclusion & belonging; (2) upward mobility; and (3) the minority tax. A lacking sense of belonging was reported across all demographic groups, with Black respondents expressing the ‘minority tax’ was disproportionately imposed, burdening them with the uncompensated task of fostering an inclusive culture. Results demonstrate the value of U.S. Medical Schools’ assessing the cultural climate to yield findings that guide development and implementation of institutional strategies that advance an inclusive culture. Progress evaluations from external reviewers would further support future inclusivity-enhancement efforts and may ultimately lead to an improved cultural climate at U.S. medical schools.

How to Cite

Sonjia Kenya*, BreAnne Young, Nanette Vega, Mariquit Rosete Lu A, Ashley Gray, Olveen Carrasquillo and Stephen Symes (2026). Creating a Culture of Belonging: Perceptions and Experiences of Inclusion at a US Medical School. Journal of Biomedical Research & Environmental Sciences, 7(7). https://doi.org/10.37871/jbres2313

Article Information

JournalJournal of Biomedical Research & Environmental Sciences (JBRES)
ISSN2766-2276
DOI DOI 10.37871/jbres2313
Volume / IssueVol. 7, Issue 7
ReceivedJuly 10, 2026
AcceptedJuly 15, 2026
PublishedJuly 20, 2026
Article TypeResearch Article
Pages1-11
LicenseCC BY 4.0 — Open Access
PublisherSciRes Literature LLC, Sheridan, WY, USA
LanguageEnglish
Creative Commons BY 4.0

Published under CC BY 4.0 — free to share, copy, adapt, and redistribute with attribution.

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