UC Health is committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. We embedded inclusion as one of our PRIIDE values to ensure we cultivate a culture of inclusion for all patients, associates and the community.

To further our purpose to advance healing and reduce suffering, we also added equity to our diversity and inclusion framework. Equity is a critical lens through which we will examine all our existing systems and processes to continue to enhance opportunities to achieve health equity.

By collaborating with leaders across multidisciplinary teams, we created the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) strategy to help us achieve UC Health’s organizational goals of becoming a 5-Star Health System and Best Place to Work. Our DE&I strategy is the bridge between employee experience, patient experience, positive patient outcomes and community impact.

The strategy focuses on four strategic pillars: workforce diversity, inclusive workplace, health equity and economic inclusion. Since launching these pillars, we have made progress toward meeting our goals and strategies that aim to create an environment of inclusion that supports the diversity of our employees, patients, suppliers and community.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion eLearning

In February 2021, we launched online learning opportunities to establish a foundation of awareness and a common language around diversity, equity and inclusion. During the learning opportunities, we focused on listening to understand everyone’s unique story and point of view.

The DE&I eLearning consists of four modules: Diversity and Inclusion Matters, Basics for Managing Unconscious Bias, Hidden Barriers to Inclusion and Being a Diversity and Inclusion Change Agent. With adult learners in mind, each module takes between 15 to 20 minutes to complete over a six-week time frame. The online modules were not the only expectations for teams; teams also needed to have conversations in between each module, to further and absorb the learning. Functions volunteered to participate in the pilot as an intact team. The content is designed to create a consistent foundation and view of diversity, equity and inclusion. This educational opportunity is another way we are living into Our UC Health Way, by providing additional tools to continuously improve the way we work and treat people – our patients, our community and each other.

UC Health’s CEO Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Leadership Council

The Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion launched UC Health’s inaugural CEO Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Leadership Council. It is chaired by Rick Hinds, Interim President & CEO and Executive Vice President and CFO, and co-chaired by Jeanetta Darno, Vice President and Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer. The CEO Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Leadership Council provides strategic oversight, direction, metrics and accountability to advance diversity, equity and inclusion among our employees, patients, suppliers and community. In addition, DE&I Leadership Council members also serve as executive sponsors of the four diversity, equity and inclusion strategic pillars, site diversity councils and employee resource groups. They are committed to leading from the front with words and action alignment. In addition to the CEO Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Leadership Council, there is a systemwide UC Health employee resource group – Young Professionals. and five Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Councils: Daniel Drake Center, UC Medical Center, West Chester Hospital, 3200 Burnet and Lindner Center of HOPE.

Partnership with Messer Expands Diversity Programming

Through a philanthropic gift and ongoing partnership, Messer Construction Co. is expanding diversity programming at UC Health.

The Messer Diversity Discretionary Fund supports new initiatives and programs aimed at increasing awareness and addressing the need for racial and ethnic diversity in healthcare.

This work supports strategies, initiatives and programs aligned to building cultural competency around implicit bias and advancing data-driven systemic and sustainable change that increases employee engagement, contributes to UC Health’s business goals and supports positive patient outcomes. In it’s first year, the gift supported UC Health’s Inclusion Week and Inclusion Summit.

UC Health’s Inaugural Inclusion Week/Summit

As the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion continues to build sustainable change around DEI, driving sustainable change in our organization begins with creating a unified foundational language. The Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion hosted UC Health’s first virtual Inclusion Week/Summit. Inclusion Week was specific to internal stakeholders, while the Inclusion Summit was for external and internal stakeholders. Each day was designed with a theme that moves us from awareness to commitment.

Together, throughout UC Health, we will listen and learn from one another, celebrate successes, and build on the great progress we have already accomplished. Because we are better together, 365 days a year.