TUSKEGEE, Ala.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The United States is facing a critical absence of diversity in medicine,
and the disproportionately low numbers of African-American doctors is
causing negative health outcomes in communities across the country.
Reflecting its commitment to improve diversity among the nation’s
doctors, Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM) has entered into an
agreement with Tuskegee University in Alabama to increase the number of
African-American students who enter medical school at RUSM, and
ultimately become physicians. This educational pathway allows qualified
Tuskegee students who earn full acceptance into the medical school to
receive a scholarship covering full tuition for the first semester.
These students will spend the first two years of medical school at the
RUSM campus in Barbados.

RUSM has a diverse student population with 51 percent of students being
persons of color. With more than 14,000 alumni, RUSM graduates practice
in direct patient care in all 50 states, including a high percentage of
graduates who are in the essential field of primary care. African
Americans make up only six percent¹ of U.S. physicians.
While most U.S. medical schools had an average of eight African-American
graduates this past year, RUSM had more than 80.

“Significantly greater representation in medicine is imperative to the
health of our communities and our nation, and RUSM’s unique impact and
portable lessons on medical school diversity promise to reduce health
disparities,” said RUSM Dean and Chancellor, Dr. William F. Owen, Jr.,
M.D., FACP. “We are pleased to partner with Tuskegee University. By
increasing the participation of underrepresented Americans in health
education we promulgate an opportunity to share in social justice for
health.”

“This is an exciting partnership that I expect will yield tremendous
dividends for everyone involved — especially for Tuskegee University’s
students, whose broadening professional opportunities will also mean a
more diverse medical workforce,” said Tuskegee University President Dr.
Lily D. McNair. “I look forward to the wonderful opportunities for our
students and our university, as Tuskegee gains a valuable academic
partner.”

“The Alabama Governor’s Office of Minority Affairs applauds Tuskegee
University and Ross University School of Medicine for tackling the
long-standing lack of diversity in medicine. The adverse effects
stemming from a lack of access to care and the pervasiveness of health
inequality have long been felt, not only across Alabama, but
nationwide,” said Nichelle Williams Nix, Director of Alabama’s
Governor’s Office of Minority Affairs, which works with Tuskegee and the
state’s other HBCUs to enhance their collective impact on Alabama’s
economic and workforce development success.

RUSM recently announced similar agreements with Florida Agricultural and
Mechanical University and Charles Drew University of Medicine and
Science. As part of its continued commitment to addressing diversity in
medicine, RUSM’s parent company, Adtalem Global Education (NYSE: ATGE),
signed on to the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU)
Partnership Challenge created by the Congressional Bipartisan HBCU
Caucus, pledging to invest in creating strategic collaborations with
HBCUs and working to increase diversity in key workforce sectors.

Having recently celebrated its 40th anniversary, RUSM is part of Adtalem
Global Education’s medical and healthcare education vertical, which also
includes American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine in Sint
Maarten, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in St. Kitts, and
Chamberlain University, the largest provider of nursing education in the
United States. Adtalem is a mission-driven educator and workforce
solutions provider with institutions and companies around the world,
including the U.S., Caribbean, Europe, Asia and Brazil.

About Tuskegee University

Located in Tuskegee, Alabama, Tuskegee University is a private,
state-related and nationally ranked land-grant institution that serves a
racially, ethnically and religiously diverse student body of 3,000-plus
students. The institution was founded in 1881 by Booker T. Washington
and is one of the nation’s historically black colleges and universities
(HBCUs). Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Commission on Colleges since 1933, Tuskegee’s academic programs — many
accredited by their respective accrediting bodies — currently lead to 41
bachelor’s, 16 master’s and five doctoral degree opportunities. For more
information about Tuskegee University, visit www.tuskegee.edu.

About Ross University School of Medicine

Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM) is an institution of Adtalem
Global Education (NYSE: ATGE), a global education provider headquartered
in the United States. The organization’s purpose is to empower students
to achieve their goals, find success and make inspiring contributions to
our global community. Founded in 1978 and located in Barbados, RUSM has
more than 14,000 alumni and is committed to educating a diverse group of
skilled physicians. RUSM is accredited by the Caribbean Accreditation
Authority for Education in Medicine and Other Health Professions
(CAAM-HP). For more information, please visit medical.rossu.edu
and follow RUSM on Twitter (@RossMedSchool),
Instagram (@rossmedschool)
and Facebook (@RossMedSchool).

About Adtalem Global Education

The purpose of Adtalem Global Education is to empower students to
achieve their goals, find success, and make inspiring contributions to
our global community. Adtalem Global Education Inc. (NYSE: ATGE; member
S&P MidCap 400 Index) is a leading global education provider and the
parent organization of Adtalem Educacional do Brasil (IBMEC, Damásio and
Wyden institutions), American University of the Caribbean School of
Medicine, Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists,
Becker Professional Education, Chamberlain University, EduPristine, Ross
University School of Medicine and Ross University School of Veterinary
Medicine. For more information, please visit adtalem.com
and follow us on Twitter (@adtalemglobal)
and LinkedIn.

¹ U.S. Census, 2016 American Community Survey, PUMS 1-year
estimate

Contacts

David Irwin
[email protected]
630.453.1120

Michael
Tullier
[email protected]
334.724.4553