UCR medical school receives diversity grant

UC Riverside’s School of Medicine has received a $450,000 grant it will use to increase ethnic diversity among its student body.

The donation, from the California Wellness Foundation, will be spread over four years “to help underrepresented minority students pursue careers in health professions,” according to a statement on the university’s website.

“These funds will support some of the educational core operating expenses and help enhance the educational experience, leadership training, and mentorship that we provide to our medical students,” said Deborah Deas, dean of the medical school, in the statement.

Underrepresented minority students include American Indian, Alaskan Native, African-American, Chicano-Latino, and Native Hawaiian-Pacific Islander.