The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Accreditation (ACGME) has reportedly placed Tulane University School of Medicine’s graduate medical programs on probation due to diversity and inclusion issues.
According to an email from the school’s dean, Lee Hamm, that was obtained by a local news source, the ACGME has placed the school’s residency and fellowship programs on probation, but the school itself, as well as its doctorate of medicine program, will not be affected.
In the email, Hamm states he can provide only limited information about the probation but asserts that the school is working to improve its graduate programs, including in the areas of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Efforts will include instituting new DEI policies and hiring an outside law firm to evaluate the programs and make recommendations for improvement, according to the email.
While the email does not outline the reasons for the ACGME’s decision, the school has faced allegations of racism and discrimination earlier this year.
Princess Dennar, a former Tulane graduate medical program administrator, claimed that she was removed from her position in February due to a discrimination lawsuit she filed in 2020.
However, the university denied the allegations and said that Dennar was suspended following a review because the program she oversaw received a warning from the ACGME.
Following backlash from students and alumni who called for Hamm to be removed as dean, the medical school offered to reinstate Dennar. However, she declined and alleged that the school’s leadership was trying to avoid responsibility.
The school has not yet made a public statement about the probation.
