The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), which oversees the MCAT and accredits medical schools, is facing scrutiny over its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Recently, an insider revealed to The Daily Wire that despite a public shift away from DEI language, the organization is still dedicated to these principles behind closed doors.
The AAMC had previously removed much of its DEI content from its website after a critical report from the nonprofit group Do No Harm labeled it as detrimental to medical education. The report accused the AAMC of pushing DEI ideologies through its accreditation processes and the MCAT exam itself. Following this backlash, the organization seemed to downplay its DEI agenda, taking down pages that detailed its commitments and initiatives.
However, the insider claims that the AAMC is still very much aligned with DEI goals. Employees were reportedly instructed to maintain their focus on DEI internally, even as public messaging changed. The AAMC is now trying to avoid terms that have become controversial, such as "diversity," "equity," and "inclusion." Instead, they are encouraged to articulate specific goals related to access to care for underserved populations.
A document obtained by The Daily Wire highlighted this shift in language. It suggested that employees should focus on more precise goals rather than using the shorthand "DEI," which has faced criticism and misunderstanding.
Despite the outward changes, leaders within the AAMC reaffirmed their commitment to DEI in a recent town hall meeting. AAMC CEO David Skorton indicated that there are no plans to eliminate DEI efforts or to publicly address the ongoing debate about these initiatives. Danielle Turnipseed, who heads the Public Policy and Legislative Affairs branch, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need to focus on the work rather than engage in public disputes about DEI.
The AAMC has not responded to requests for comment regarding these developments. As the organization continues to balance its internal commitments with public perception, the future of DEI in medical education remains a topic of significant interest and concern.