Patient and Community Support
Empowering Patients and Families

Michigan Medicine seeks to provide a patient-centered, inclusive culture, empowering patients and their families to have a voice in the management and delivery of their care.

Teenage boy wearing mask and pulling up blue t-shirt to show bandage on upper arm
Areas of Support
Diverse group of people taking a knee holding Black Lives Matter signs
Anti-Racism

Michigan Medicine unequivocally recognizes racism as a public health crisis, and we should be standing out as leaders against inequality. We are committed to creating fundamental change that leads to a culture of anti-racism and a medical school and health system that are leaders in equity, justice, and inclusiveness for people of all colors. As part of this, we are passionate about ensuring that Michigan Medicine is a leader in health equity.

Anti-Racism
Female doctor with stethoscope and young Black male
Community Investment

Community Health Services’ goal is to improve the health of our communities by: caring for the health of our children, promoting the health of our families, protecting health and quality of life for older adults, improving mental health support and reducing substance abuse, and developing future health leaders.

Community Health Services
Nurse with dark hair and wearing dark blue scrubswith hand on shoulder of Asian main in wheelchair
Disability Health & Wellness

As one of the country’s leading healthcare providers, Michigan Medicine wants patients and their families to have an excellent and satisfying experience. We are committed to providing patients with easy access to all of our clinical facilities, especially for those who live with a disability. If you, as a patient or caregiver, face barriers to accessing our clinical services, we want to know about it.

U-M Center for Disability Health and Wellness
Seated group of gender fluid people wearing masks, one wearing a white medical coat
LGBTQ+ Health

Michigan Medicine focuses on creating an environment of belonging and inclusion, and providing patient and family-centered care, for our Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ+) patients and guests, as well as for those who work and learn at our organization. Members of the LGBTQ+ community continue to face a variety of health care disparities. Together, we can all make our health system an inclusive space of healing for all patients and families.

LGBTQ+ Health
Health Equity & Civil Rights Resources
Health Equity & Civil Rights Resources

The University of Michigan’s Equity, Civil Rights and Title IX Office provides support, resources and education to promote a safe and non-discriminatory learning, living and working environment for all members of the university community.

Health Equity Consult Service

The Healthcare Equity Consult Service (HECS) will support all patients and families who believe that their care may have been affected by bias, inequities, or perceived discrimination of any kind.

Patient Civil Rights Coordinator

Michigan Medicine complies with applicable federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate, nor do we exclude individuals or treat them differently, on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. If you believe that Michigan Medicine has failed to act accordingly, you can file a grievance with the Michigan Medicine Patient Civil Rights Coordinator.

To File a Grievance
Patient Civil Rights Coordinator
2901 Hubbard
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2435
Phone: 734-936-6439
Upcoming DEI Events
Musculoskeletal Health Considerations for Transgender and Gender Diverse Patients
This presentation, developed in collaboration with experts from PrideOrtho and Fenway Health, will provide a general overview of MSK-health considerations for Transgender and Gender Diverse patients. Topics covered will include bone health, tendon/ligament injury risk and other policy-related considerations.
Curtis Center Art for Equity Contest: What does Health Equity mean to Future Leaders?
The Curtis Center will be hosting a creative Art for Equity (video, poems, audio, photobook, etc.,) contest for undergraduate students to showcase what health equity means to them. Our event will be an awards ceremony to announce the top 3 winners (with a prize), scored based on a predetermined criteria. Winners will receive a cash prize.
Zero Hunger Food Distribution
This initiative between Kroger's Zero Hunger Zero Waste Youth Advisory Council Member and Maggie's Marketplace aims to not only provide food to individuals in need but also create a supportive environment for community members. In addition to the food distribution, social workers will be present to connect individuals with various community resources.
Environmental Justice Impact on Health Disparities
Fundamental parts of human health and well-being include clean air, clean and adequate water, and protection from chemicals. Yet, many in our community are impacted by a lack of these resources, leading to increased health risks. Join us for an impactful session delving into the critical intersection of environmental justice and healthcare outcomes.
Take a Nature Break with Nature Rx- Morning Event
Take a break and learn more about the benefits of nature for well-being and healing through Michigan’s own Nature Rx program! Meet at one of two hospital locations, then navigate to the Arb–or meet at the Arb. After a mini-session on what Nature Rx is and how to navigate the app, we will head outside. Participants will have an opportunity to practice activities to direct focus to nature and experience its benefits.
Program for Equity in Adolescent and Child Health (PEACH) work-in-progress session
Maria Shakour Skoczylas, MD, a clinical assistant professor in Pediatrics-Hospitalists, will present on her project exploring whether newborns are equitably drug screened.
Take a Nature Break with Nature Rx- Afternoon Event
Take a break and learn more about the benefits of nature for well-being and healing through Michigan’s own Nature Rx program! Meet at one of two hospital locations, then navigate to the Arb–or meet at the Arb. After a mini-session on what Nature Rx is and how to navigate the app, we will head outside. Participants will have an opportunity to practice activities to direct focus to nature and experience its benefits.
LGBTQ+ Parents' Experiences Accessing Health Care for their Children with Developmental Disabilities
In this Bioethics Grand Rounds, Emilee Coulter-Thompson, DrPH, LMSW presents published research on the impact of health care bias and discrimination on LGBTQ+ parents' and their children with developmental disabilities in the U.S. This event is hosted by the U-M Center for Bioethics and Social Sciences in Medicine (CBSSM), and continuing education credits are available.
emilee
Pride Pin Initiative, School of Nursing
This event will explore how wearing Pride Pins in a healthcare setting have impacted patient’s experiences based on anonymous student submissions.