Article courtesy of AHA Trustee Services
Health care organizations across the nation are investing time, attention and dollars in diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. Some hospitals and health systems are deep into their DEI journey while others are just beginning to understand the DEI challenges of the organization and the communities they serve. Wherever they fall on this spectrum, health care organizations are seeking to define the role of their governing body in this important work.
As DEI strategies are developed, and ultimately woven into everyday policy and procedure, boards should play a significant role in lending support, driving accountability and inspiring culture. Board members have a fiduciary obligation to oversee strategy and quality, areas in which DEI has an increasingly recognized prominence. Additionally, boards should be seeking to align their own composition and culture with their organizational DEI goals. Finally, trustees play an important role as vocal leaders, internally and externally, to move diversity, equity and inclusion forward.
Children’s Minnesota, a freestanding pediatric health system located in Minneapolis, began its DEI journey in 2018. While this work is ongoing, the organization has made significant progress across multiple domains in the last three years. The Children’s Minnesota management team led the DEI strategy and goal development with strong endorsement from board members.
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