Below is a memorandum written by Dr. Darrell Kirsch, President of the AAMC:
For the second time in a decade, the AAMC has joined with a distinguished group of 29 other educational and health professional organizations to reinforce with the Supreme Court the well-established connection between a diverse student body and a health care workforce that is best prepared to reduce health disparities and ensure the health of all. The nexus between diversity in medical education and the advancement of health care equity in the United States has driven the AAMC’s strategic priority of leading efforts to increase diversity in medicine. As explained by Justice Powell in the Supreme Court case of Regents of the University of California v. Bakke nearly 34 years ago:
For the second time in a decade, the AAMC has joined with a distinguished group of 29 other educational and health professional organizations to reinforce with the Supreme Court the well-established connection between a diverse student body and a health care workforce that is best prepared to reduce health disparities and ensure the health of all. The nexus between diversity in medical education and the advancement of health care equity in the United States has driven the AAMC’s strategic priority of leading efforts to increase diversity in medicine. As explained by Justice Powell in the Supreme Court case of Regents of the University of California v. Bakke nearly 34 years ago:
“Physicians serve a heterogeneous population. An otherwise qualified medical student with a particular background
– whether it be ethnic, geographic, culturally advantaged or disadvantaged – may bring to a professional school of medicine
experiences, outlooks, and ideas that enrich the training of its student body and better equip its graduates to render with
understanding their vital service to humanity.”
Following the framework outlined in Bakke and upheld by the Supreme Court in 2003 in Grutter v. Bollinger, the AAMC and its member medical schools have striven to ensure that holistic admissions practices that incorporate race as one of many personal attributes considered when reviewing an applicant’s background are in full alignment with the Supreme Court’s guidance. The Fisher case involves a challenge to the University of Texas at Austin’s consideration of race in undergraduate admissions. The Court is being asked to invalidate the Texas process under the Court’s 2003 decision in Grutter or, alternatively, to revisit the Grutter case’s holding.
The possibility of the Court revisiting the 2003 Grutter decision is a cause for concern. A change in legal standards at this time could disrupt or otherwise require changes to the admissions processes, possibly resulting in fewer under-represented minority medical students, therefore jeopardizing our nation’s ability to serve the health care needs of all Americans.
The Court accepted the Fisher case for oral argument in its Fall term for October 10, 2012.
A copy of the amicus brief, filed with the Court on August 13, is attached.
– whether it be ethnic, geographic, culturally advantaged or disadvantaged – may bring to a professional school of medicine
experiences, outlooks, and ideas that enrich the training of its student body and better equip its graduates to render with
understanding their vital service to humanity.”
Following the framework outlined in Bakke and upheld by the Supreme Court in 2003 in Grutter v. Bollinger, the AAMC and its member medical schools have striven to ensure that holistic admissions practices that incorporate race as one of many personal attributes considered when reviewing an applicant’s background are in full alignment with the Supreme Court’s guidance. The Fisher case involves a challenge to the University of Texas at Austin’s consideration of race in undergraduate admissions. The Court is being asked to invalidate the Texas process under the Court’s 2003 decision in Grutter or, alternatively, to revisit the Grutter case’s holding.
The possibility of the Court revisiting the 2003 Grutter decision is a cause for concern. A change in legal standards at this time could disrupt or otherwise require changes to the admissions processes, possibly resulting in fewer under-represented minority medical students, therefore jeopardizing our nation’s ability to serve the health care needs of all Americans.
The Court accepted the Fisher case for oral argument in its Fall term for October 10, 2012.
A copy of the amicus brief, filed with the Court on August 13, is attached.
AAMC Presidential Memorandum 12-07.pdf |