The University of California will host a statewide conference in Berkeley, Friday through Sunday (Mar. 23-25), to address strategies to increase diversity at the University, with a special focus on the unique issues facing women who are considering academic careers in the health professions.

The forum, hosted by the UC systemwide divisions of health affairs and academic affairs, is being supported by The California Endowment, the University of California San Francisco Center for Gender Equity, and the UCSF Student Activity Center. The conference will be held at the Claremont Hotel, beginning at 5:00 p.m. Friday and run through 3:00 p.m. Sunday.

About 65 students, along with the deans of UC’s 15 health sciences schools, are expected to attend.

Conference presentations and workshops will promote an understanding of the benefits and pathways to an academic career and address barriers for women interested in health careers.

“We are excited about this special event,” said Cathryn Nation, UC’s executive director of academic health sciences. “The conference is a great opportunity to share ideas and best practices for increasing the pool of women who want to pursue a future career within UC’s health sciences system.”

The conference program will help identify strategies to support students’ exploration of academic paths and learn from successful role models and mentors. Workshops topics will cover professional development, skill building and networking opportunities, featuring a diverse array of faculty leaders and presenters. The conference will also address strategies to increase diversity and encourage women from socio-economically and educational disadvantaged backgrounds to pursue academic careers.

UC Riverside Chancellor France Cordova will deliver the keynote address at the opening dinner. Other conference speakers will include Dr. Mary Anne-Koda Kimble, the dean of UCSF’s school of pharmacy and a number of outstanding faculty from across UC’s health professional schools statewide.

A copy of the program is available at:
www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/2007/healthconference0307.pdf

For more information about UC’s health sciences schools:
www.universityofcalifornia.edu/health/schools.html

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Media: The Saturday morning workshops will provide a helpful overview of issues covered during the three-day program. For more information about the conference: Linda Kane, Office of Health Affairs, (510) 987-9703.