The University of Pennsylvania has removed diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) language from several of its medical program websites, including those for dermatology and pathology, according to a recent report from the student newspaper The Daily Pennsylvanian.
The changes reflect a broader shift in the university’s online messaging, with DEI references disappearing from multiple departments within the Perelman School of Medicine. These updates come amid growing scrutiny of DEI programs, particularly from officials aligned with the Trump administration, who argue that such initiatives may violate federal civil rights laws.
The dermatology program, for instance, previously featured a statement on its website pledging to integrate DEI principles into its residency curriculum and clinical practices. That content has now been removed. The Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) also deleted a section that emphasized the school’s goal to enroll and support students from underrepresented backgrounds in medicine.
Other removals include references to the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Anti-Racism Committee from the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine website, and the Representation and Anti-Discrimination Committee from the Orthopaedic Research Laboratory.
The Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, which once hosted a “diversity and inclusion” page, now features a “Community and Wellness” section. The updated page acknowledges systemic discrimination and outlines efforts to foster solidarity, but does not explicitly refer to DEI or name any related committees.
It remains unclear how many DEI-related committees or goals have been discontinued university-wide. However, The Daily Pennsylvanian noted that at least one Penn Medicine department and six programs within the Perelman School of Medicine have modified or removed DEI-related content since the start of the spring term.
These changes come alongside new federal efforts to investigate alleged civil rights violations at universities. The U.S. Department of Justice recently launched a Civil Rights Fraud Initiative that will allow whistleblowers to report institutions believed to be misusing federal funds. According to a DOJ memo, colleges that receive federal funding could face penalties for policies or programs deemed discriminatory, including those involving athletics, bathroom access, or antisemitism.
Critics argue these federal measures may be used to challenge DEI efforts across higher education. University officials have not publicly commented on the recent changes to their websites.
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