On April 18, Temple’s Committee on the Status of Women Faculty in Medicine held its 15th Annual Professional Development Program, focusing on diversity issues at the Health Sciences Center. The committee aims to ensure equity and diversity in academic medicine as well as to promote career advancement of women faculty.

President Ann Weaver Hart, in her keynote address, said, “A caring and supportive environment rich with professional development and mentors is important for all of us to succeed. Temple treasures all the people who have made their careers here, and we are committed to nurturing an opportunity-rich environment. I am proud of the Temple University family.”

After Hart’s address, attendees participated in panel discussions and activities throughout the morning, all aimed at gaining insight into the need for diversity in the medical field.

“The goal of this program is to highlight the importance of diversity. Through a unique skill set of a diverse group of people, we maximize our potential to excel,” said Judith Litvin, chair of the committee that organized the event, as well as an associate professor of anatomy and cell biology at the School of Medicine and at the Fels Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Biology.

A detailed description of the committee’s activities is available at www.temple.edu/medicine/womeninmedicine.htm. The event was co-sponsored by the Center for Women’s Health Research, Leadership and Advocacy.