Health system pledges to address healthcare disparities and diversity in the workplace
October 1, 2020 — Englewood Health has announced the formation of its Diversity and Inclusion Education Council, created to implement and foster practices that support and accelerate diversity and inclusion, with a specific focus on addressing healthcare disparities and diversity in the workplace.
The 2020 council members, 12 Englewood Health physicians and team members collaborating across departments, will work with the health system’s leadership team to provide guidance and direction on programs dedicated to ensuring that Englewood Health is fully living up to its goals of diversity and inclusion.
“Our country’s history of racism and current inequalities have impacted every aspect of life and, most importantly, our health and well-being,” said Warren Geller, President and CEO of Englewood Health. “With the establishment of a Diversity and Inclusion Education Council at Englewood Health, we are committing to doing more and doing better for the communities we serve.”
Council members have pledged, first and foremost, to address healthcare disparities among diverse populations in the local community by identifying existing inequalities, developing an action plan, and expanding programs designed to improve access to services and to reduce risk factors for disease.
The council has also committed to identifying, attracting, and retaining a diverse workforce across the organization. Its members have pledged to understand, address, and help diminish unconscious bias in the workplace and in patient care, while recognizing diversity and inclusion issues related to a multigenerational workforce.
“As caregivers, our council will help us closely examine our existing clinical policies and procedures to identify areas of healthcare disparity or lack of healthcare access for our most vulnerable communities,” Geller said. “Our council will also work toward improving diversity in the workplace, most significantly in our leadership and management roles.”
As Englewood Health continues to grow and expand its team of professionals, emphasis will be placed on engaging candidates who will be a “culture add,” and on the importance of perpetual learning to maintain and advance a climate that builds cultural competence and awareness of intergenerational differences.
These initiatives will begin with employee orientation, continue through annual mandatories, and be supplemented by new and ongoing training curriculum, including cross-generational mentoring to improve knowledge transfer.
The announcement of the council comes as Global Diversity Awareness Month is recognized around the world.