Background and Description

The Champion of Diversity and Inclusion Award honors achievements that advanced the mission of, and promoted a climate of diversity and inclusion at EVMS and EVMS Medical Group through:

  • Outstanding efforts in recruitment of a diverse talent - student, resident, faculty and staff (including African Americans, Hispanics, native Americans, women, veterans, LGBT, socio-economically disadvantaged groups, and people with disabilities).
  • Exemplary efforts in fostering a climate of inclusion at EVMS/EVMS Medical Group for diverse individuals, cultivating diverse teams and actively implementing initiatives to mitigate bias in the working, learning and patient care environment.
  • Exemplary scholarship to advance diversity and community engagement, address health disparities and access to care.
  • Exemplary contributions to the success of campus-based outreach efforts.
  • Outstanding efforts in expanding learning opportunities for the EVMS/EVMS Medical Group and Hampton Roads Community focused on cultural competency, health equity and social justice.
  • Exemplary service as role model, mentor and sponsor in providing opportunities for growth and leadership of diverse individuals (women, under-represented groups, veterans).

This award will be presented at the 2024 EVMS Legacy Faculty & Staff Awards Ceremony.

Procedure and Documentation

The nominator provides the name, title, and department of the nominee along with documentation including:

  • A nominating one-page letter describing the outstanding efforts and accomplishments of the individual or group whom you are nominating.
  • A minimum of two (but no more than four) one-page letters from colleagues, peers, or others in support of the nomination.

Nominations can be submitted by individual faculty or staff members (including supervisors, direct reports and peers of the nominees). View writing tips and an example of a well-written nomination.

When you are ready, fill out the Champion of Diversity and Inclusion Award Nomination Form. Be sure to have all of your required documentation accessible before beginning the nomination process. You will receive a confirmation email once complete. 

Resubmission

If you submitted a nomination last year which was not selected for an award, you may resubmit for one additional cycle - the exception being for a group, which requires a new submission. We encourage resubmitting worthwhile nominations as long as they meet the current criteria and describe what the nominee has done over the past 12 months.

Deadline

Nominations are being accepted through Monday, September 9, 2024. Nominations will NOT be accepted after this date.

Eligibility

  • The nomination can be for an individual (EVMS legacy faculty or staff) or a group (units, departments or other functional teams within EVMS/EVMS Medical Group).
  • All EVMS and EVMS Medical Group legacy full-time staff employees and legacy full-time faculty members (salaried, non-salaried, and VA Medical Center) in good standing with at least one year of service by June 30, 2024 are eligible to receive recognition with this award. The nominees may not have had any formal disciplinary action within 36 months prior to the nomination date and must meet or exceed an overall performance rating of "Exceeds Expectation" on their most recent employee evaluation or faculty annual review.
  • A legacy staff or faculty member previously recognized with a Champion of Diversity and Inclusion Award is ineligible to receive this award again (see listing here).

Criteria

  • Exemplary service as a role model, mentor and sponsor in providing opportunities for growth and leadership of diverse individuals (women, under-represented groups, veterans).
  • Demonstration of emerging or sustained commitment to the values of diversity and inclusion by documented efforts that are above and beyond the routine expectations of the job or project.
  • Evidence of exceptional efforts to promote a work and learning environment that is free from bias and discrimination.
  • Substantiation of the contribution that the individual, team or unit has made towards advancing diversity and inclusion.

Award

Individual faculty or staff award recipients will receive a $500 stipend and a commemorative award. Departmental or unit award recipients will be honored with a commemorative award and a $500 monetary stipend to go towards the enhancement of diversity and inclusion programs of the department or unit.

Award Selection Committee

The 2024 Champion of Diversity and Inclusion Award Selection Committee consists of representatives from the following offices: Faculty Affairs and Professional Development, Admissions, Student Affairs, Diversity and Inclusion, and Human Resources.

The Award Selection Committee will evaluate the nominations of eligible nominees and select the 2024 recipient(s). The Award Selection Committee, at its sole discretion, reserves the right to determine that an award not be bestowed in a given year. This might occur if there are no nominations submitted, or if it is determined that the nominations submitted do not meet the award's criteria or eligibility requirements.