Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has signed a state special tribute honoring a Wayne State University School of Medicine administrator for his efforts to increase minority representation in medicine and his support of historically marginalized communities.

The tribute, signed by the governor April 29, recognizes the previous and ongoing work of Donovan Roy, Ed.D., vice dean of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for the School of Medicine.

Whitmer and Lieutenant Gov. Garlin Gilchrist recognized Dr. Roy for years of service to the Black Medical Association and Black Men in White Coats at WSU, and noted that during his career he has inspired thousands of students in their paths to becoming physicians.

“I am humbled and honored to receive this special tribute award from Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist and Governor Gretchen Whitmer,” Dr. Roy said. “It affirms the importance of supporting our youth from vulnerable communities and how important mentorship plays in unlocking their potential. As the vice dean for Diversity Equity and Inclusion, I am committed to empowering and uplifting those who may not have the resources and support to reach their dreams of becoming a physician by giving underrepresented in medicine students the tools they need to reach their end goal of taking care of patients living in the City of Detroit and beyond.  Together, we as leaders, staff, faculty members and students on Wayne State University medical, professional and undergraduate campuses must continue to champion diversity, equity and inclusion to create a brighter, more inclusive future for all in the city."

The tribute also recognized his role in increasing support for academic, tutoring and mentorship programs, including developing pipeline programs with public schools in Detroit.

Dr. Roy joined Wayne State University in November 2021 from the Western Michigan University Homer Stryker, M.D., School of Medicine, where he served as assistant dean for Diversity and Inclusiveness. In that role, he was directly accountable for advancing diversity and inclusion initiatives.

He led a team of leaders to create and introduce a strategic three-year plan dedicated to expanding diversity and inclusion, served as chair of the WMed Diversity and Inclusiveness Subcommittee, partnered with the Office of Health Equity and Community Affairs to establish monthly implicit and explicit bias training, and designed and implemented a recruitment database designed to guarantee diversity among staff, faculty and physicians.

He has led bias and structural racism training, incorporated technology to expand diversity, equity and inclusion, and led training surrounding the traumas impacting underrepresented students. At Western Michigan University, he developed an Interprofessional Primary Care elective for third- and fourth-year medical students that support underserved communities.

In addition to creating LGBTQIA-friendly environments and gender bias-free and religious expression spaces for students, Dr. Roy chaired the WMed and Association of American Medical Colleges Virtual High School and College Student-Athlete National Conference, advancing how medical schools recruit underrepresented populations in medicine. He was the co-principal investigator for two funds that created pathway programs for ethnically diverse students. He also secured a grant to develop the documentary, “The Role of Social Capital and Social Networks that support Black Males’ Matriculation into Michigan Medical Schools.”