The Office of Collaborative Excellence and Student Engagement (CESE) at Yale School of Medicine (YSM) is dedicated to creating a welcoming and supportive environment for all members of the YSM community in which everyone feels seen, heard, and empowered. CESE celebrates the broad range of experiences and perspectives that enrich our campus and the field of health care. Through outreach, education, and advocacy, CESE supports the development of a collaborative and well-rounded health care and biomedical workforce—including innovative physicians, researchers, advocates, and scientists who are prepared to serve and engage with communities in meaningful and responsive ways. Through robust outreach efforts, CESE aims to support and strengthen pathways for all talented individuals to pursue and succeed in careers in health care and biomedical research.

CESE supports several health and science pathway programs, including the Youth Science Enrichment Program, the Health Professions Recruitment Exposure Program, Yale Summer Enrichment Medical Academy, Yale Summer Research Program, and the Program to Advance Training in Health and Sciences. CESE supports and encourages open, respectful dialogue around community and belonging and actively seeks and responds to feedback from students and trainees.

The office of CESE supports medical student affinity groups that are open to all students, such as: the Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association (APAMSA), Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA), Jewish Medical Student Association (Maimonides Society), Medical Students with Disabilities and Chronic Illnesses (MSDCI), Middle Eastern North African (MENA) students, Native American and Indigenous Medical Student Association, OutPatient, South Asian Medically-oriented Student Association (SAMoSA), Student National Medical Association (SNMA), Yale First-generation Low Income (YFLI),and Yale Muslims in Medicine (YMIM). In addition, CESE partners with local schools and organizations to host community events and supports ongoing community service projects throughout the year, advocating on behalf of populations in New Haven.

Deputy Dean for Collaborative Excellence Darin A. Latimore, M.D., along with Marietta Vázquez, M.D., associate dean for collaborative excellence and student engagement, heads the office. The contact person is Director Linda V. Jackson, M.S. The office is located at 367 Cedar Street, Suite 320, New Haven CT 06511; telephone, 203.785.7545.