The Office of Health Strategy & Engagement (OHSE) tracks the University of Maryland School of Medicine's ongoing work to advance health equity, reduce health disparities, and strengthen community engagement. Below is a chronological record of publications, announcements, and milestones connected to this work.
Coming Soon: UMMS Health Equity Transformation Published in Peer-Reviewed Journal
2026 (pre-publication — link to follow upon formal publication)
University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) leadership — Mohan Suntha, MD, MBA; Tiffany M. Wiggins, MD, MPH; Li He, PhD; Brittany Wiafe, MHA; and Roderick King, MD, MPH — will publish “A Collaborative, Data-Driven Approach to Advancing Health Equity Across an Academic Health System” in Transactions of the American Clinical and Climatological Association (Vol. 136, 2026). The paper documents a five-year, systemwide “Health Equity Challenge” that has driven measurable outcome improvements across UMMS hospitals, including a 14% increase in maternity care patient-experience scores, a 50% reduction in hypertension-related postpartum readmissions, and improved diabetes-related readmission rates. Several of the paper's authors, including Dr. Wiggins, also hold faculty appointments and governance roles at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, reflecting the close partnership between the two institutions in advancing shared health equity goals.
Celebrating Community with Pride: Joint Float at the 2026 Baltimore Pride Parade
June 2026
The University of Maryland School of Medicine joined forces with the University of Maryland Medical System, University of Maryland Medical Center, and University of Maryland, Baltimore for a joint float at the 2026 Baltimore Pride Parade. The post affirmed the School's belief that “the best science, the best care, and the best education happen when every person feels seen, valued, and celebrated.”
Celebration of Excellence in Medicine, Powered by Community
2026
UMSOM's signature annual fundraising event honored distinguished faculty and alumni for leadership in education, research, and patient care. The Office of Health Strategy & Engagement led the evening's art exhibition, and a portion of event proceeds support OHSE's health equity programming.
UM School of Medicine Faculty Spotlight Black Women's Health Through Women's History Month Panel
April 2026
UMSOM faculty joined Coppin State University's 5th Annual Women's History Month Forum, where panelists addressed maternal health disparities and life-course approaches to reducing chronic disease burden among Black women.
A $3 million National Cancer Institute Career Development Award launched the Advancing Oncologic Research Communities in Health Equity (ARCH) K12 Program, training early-career oncology researchers to address cancer disparities through community-informed research.
UM School of Medicine Launches Grant and Mentorship Program to Help Young Researchers Get AHEAD
March 2026
A $680,000 grant from the Burroughs Wellcome Fund, in partnership with Morgan State University, launched the AHEAD program to mentor early-career physician-scientists conducting community-engaged research addressing persistent health inequities.
Office of Health Strategy & Engagement Established as a Formal Office of the Dean
2025
UMSOM's governing bylaws formally list the Office of Health Strategy and Engagement among the School's Offices of the Dean, establishing its institutional standing within the Dean's administrative structure.
Annual Salsa Fiesta: Celebrating Hispanic/Latino Heritage Month
September–October 2025
OHSE hosted its Annual Salsa Fiesta in celebration of Hispanic/Latino Heritage Month, bringing together the UMSOM community to honor Hispanic and Latino culture and contributions to medicine and the School.
Published in the journal Health Equity, this study of Maryland's Maternal Health Innovation Program (MDMOM) documents equity-centered, hospital-partnered strategies that addressed racial disparities in severe maternal morbidity across 32 of Maryland's birthing hospitals.
Inclusive LGBTQ+ Health Excellence Symposium
June 2024
UMSOM's equity office convened a symposium on LGBTQ+ patient health needs, bringing together healthcare professionals, educators, and learners to advance approaches to care that address disparities and improve healthcare experiences.
Pride Parade Presence Across UMSOM, UMB, and UMMC
June 2024
The equity office coordinated a unified Pride Parade presence spanning the School of Medicine, the university, and the medical center, reinforcing visibility and inclusive-care messaging for LGBTQ+ patients, learners, and staff.
Pulse Oximetry's Color Bias
June 2024
A UMSOM Emergency Medicine teaching post summarized research showing pulse oximeters can overestimate oxygen saturation in patients with darker skin tones, reinforcing the importance of evaluating clinical technologies through a health-equity lens.
17th Annual Diversity Dinner and Celebration: Shaping Inclusive Excellence in Medicine
February 2024
UMSOM's equity office hosted its 17th annual Diversity Dinner and Celebration, alongside a week-long traveling art exhibition by local Baltimore artists exploring the School's past, present, and future in health equity and inclusion.
UM School of Medicine Forms New Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
October 2023
UMSOM Dean Mark T. Gladwin, MD, announced the formation of the office, the forerunner to OHSE, naming JP Pierre as inaugural director, with a mandate to integrate equity strategy across research, education, clinical care, and community engagement.