Diversity Dinner and Celebration

2025 Diversity Dinner and Celebration

Diversity Dinner and Celebration:
Shaping Inclusive Excellence in Medicine

Saturday, February 22, 2025
5:15 - 10:30 p.m.

M&T Bank Exchange
France-Merrick Performing Arts Center
401 W. Fayette Street
Baltimore, MD 21201

Tickets are $200 each
This includes complimentary parking, cocktail reception, dinner, beverages, dessert, and access to the after-party.

About the Celebration

This celebration is a prestigious event dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the rich tapestry of diversity within the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

Schedule of Events

5:15 pm Registration Opens
5:30 pm Cocktail Reception and Art Exhibition
6:30 pm Dinner and Program
8:30 pm Dessert Reception, DJ & Dancing
10:30 pm Event Concludes

Proceeds from the event support the University’s mission by broadening opportunities and resources essential to cultivating a truly inclusive and thriving environment and for the betterment of our vibrant and interconnected communities. A portion of proceeds will also benefit the Dean Emeritus Donald E. Wilson’s Endowed Scholarship Fund, a foundational fund that empowers the talents of driven and qualified students of all backgrounds.

Rooted in the spirit of unity, this celebration not only showcases the remarkable achievements that arise from the spirit and practice of inclusion, but also advances our collective efforts toward fostering resilient and healthy communities through bold discovery science, transformative education, and personalized, equitable patient care.

Host

Mark T. Gladwin, MD
Vice President for Medical Affairs, UM Baltimore
John Z. and Akiko K. Bowers Distinguished Professor and
Dean, University of Maryland School of Medicine

Emcee

Rodney J. Taylor, MD, MPH
Bruce and Isobel Cleland Chair of Otorhinolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery
Professor and Chair, Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery

Guest Speaker

Reverend Dr. Alvin C. Hathaway, Sr.
A lifelong advocate for health equity, social justice, and community empowerment, Dr. Hathaway will address Baltimore's persistent health disparities, offering a powerful vision for community-driven healthcare solutions. His message is sure to inspire action toward a more equitable and inclusive healthcare landscape, emphasizing trust, collaboration, and transformative social change.

More about Dr. Hathaway

Rev. Dr. Alvin C. Hathaway Sr., a lifelong advocate for health equity, social justice, and community empowerment, has dedicated his career to uplifting Baltimore’s under-resourced communities through visionary leadership, unwavering commitment, and deep economic investment. Growing up in West Baltimore, he was profoundly shaped by a foundation of faith, family, and neighborhood support, which enabled his enduring commitment to service.

As former senior pastor of Union Baptist Church, Dr. Hathaway led pivotal health initiatives, establishing health navigator teams and forging partnerships that expanded healthcare access for Baltimore’s Black communities. His leadership paved the way for essential programs and resources, enabling residents to receive compassionate, community-centered care.

Dr. Hathaway’s influence reaches nationally through initiatives like the African Ancestry Neuroscience Research Initiative, a groundbreaking effort he co-founded to elevate African American representation in neuroscience research. Collaborating with the University of Maryland School of Medicine and the Lieber Institute for Brain Development, he has worked tirelessly to address mental health disparities, advocate for inclusive research practices, and bridge gaps in health equity.

Beyond health advocacy, Dr. Hathaway has been transformative in preserving Baltimore’s cultural heritage. He renovated PS103, the historic school attended by Justice Thurgood Marshall, into the Justice Thurgood Marshall Amenity Center — a national landmark celebrating civil rights history and providing the community with educational and job training resources.

Dr. Hathaway has also secured more than $70 million in investments to revitalize the Upton-Druid Heights neighborhood, in addition to the Justice Thurgood Marshal Amenity Center has restored other key cultural landmarks that honor Baltimore’s civil rights legacy. Among these, he transformed the law office of civil rights pioneer Juanita Jackson Mitchell— the first African American woman to graduate from the University of Maryland Law School and practice law in Maryland — into the Juanita Jackson Mitchell Law Center. Now a vital community hub, this center houses the University of Maryland ROAR Center, providing essential legal and social support services. Dr. Hathaway’s commitment to preserving history and empowering underserved communities underscores his dedication to lasting, accessible resources for all.

At the University of Maryland School of Medicine’s Diversity Dinner and Celebration, Dr. Hathaway will address Baltimore's persistent health disparities, offering a powerful vision for community-driven healthcare solutions. His message is sure to inspire action toward a more equitable and inclusive healthcare landscape, emphasizing trust, collaboration, and transformative social change.

Nominations for Dean's Faculty and Alumni Awards

Each year, the Dean’s Faculty and Alumni Awards are presented at this event to honor a distinguished faculty member and a medical school alumnus. These awards celebrate their outstanding contributions to the field of medicine and their meaningful, lasting impact in our communities.

Nominations for these awards are due by Friday, December 20, 2024.

Award Nomination Criteria & Submission Information

2025 Dean's Faculty Award
2025 Dean's Alumni Award

Nominations can also be submitted online:

University of Maryland Medicine Inclusive Excellence Fund

Charitable gifts will expand opportunities and provide vital resources to foster a supportive and thriving environment.

Your donation will:

Ensure that qualified and talented students of all backgrounds can pursue their medical aspirations.
Support research initiatives and curriculum development focused on addressing health care disparities, promoting health equity, and ensuring cultural competency training.
Strengthen support for faculty members to provide students with role models, mentors, and advocates who will help guide their academic and professional success.

Donate

Dean Emeritus Donald E. Wilson Endowed Scholarship Fund

Gifts to the Dean Wilson Scholarship help driven and qualified students of all backgrounds get the support they need to succeed at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.