(3/29/24) April is National Minority Health Month.
According to the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, this year’s theme is Be the Source for Better Health. In step with this year’s goal to “share resources to improve health outcomes through our cultures, communities, and connections,” The Institute for EDI at Chase Brexton would like to share what we have been up to and what lies ahead.
In just over two years, The Institute for Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion (EDI) has diligently worked to further our purpose of “disrupt[ing] the behaviors, beliefs, and policies that sustain systemic inequities, structural racism, and other discriminatory practices.” Removing long-standing barriers and working toward equitable health care, particularly for marginalized individuals, continues to be the crux of our work as it has been behind every strategic initiative undertaken in 2023 and will continue to inform the work we do in 2024.
Reflecting on 2023, The Institute for EDI:
- Developed and deployed Chase Brexton’s first EDI Strategic Plan.
- Reviewed nearly 500 organizational policies to ensure that all policies contain inclusive language.
- Led Joint Commission Health Equity activities and demonstrated adherence to 6 new Joint Commission Health Care Equity Standards.
- Hosted, along with The Center for LGBTQ Health Equity, an LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce and Foundation Board training centered on intersectionality, cultural humility, implicit bias, and microaggressions. One attendee commented, “This training should be expanded and made available to as many organizations as possible as the information shared is invaluable.”
Received a grant from the Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County to provide 4 EDI Trainings in our Glen Burnie Center:
-Burnout Breakthrough: Reclaiming Your Energy
-Foundations of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Part I and II
-How to Recognize and Respond to Microaggressions
-Understanding Your Patient’s Context and Trust
- Partnered with Cool & Associates LLC to begin developing a Spanish-Speaking Patient Journey & Engagement Guide. This important resource will aid in fostering compassionate and equitable care.
- Developed and facilitated monthly New Hire Orientation EDI trainings and an annual Disability Awareness Training.
- Participated in the Leaders in Equity and Diversity (LEAD) Collaborative.
- Instituted an EDI Website, numerous educational resources, as well as the EDI Glossary, an internal facing document to be used as a reference to foster education and understanding of diverse perspectives.
- Unveiled further internal diversity initiatives including Chase Brexton’s first EDI Employee Resource Group (ERG) EDI Book Club; a biweekly EDI Digest where 45 EDI articles have been published to date; and several awareness emails on topics such as Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Black History Month, Women’s History Month, Juneteenth, Hate Crime messaging; Roe v. Wade and much more.
- Participated in external diversity initiatives including the Room at the Table podcast featuring Aya Shuman and Sam McClure.
- Facilitated internal engagement to bring several trainings to Chase Brexton which included 2 EDI Trainings in 2022; and 7 EDI Trainings in 2023.
Embarking on 2024, The Institute for EDI remains committed to effecting change in the areas of policies, conduct, behaviors, and in the experience of each patient and employee. As our strategic plan guides our work, relationship building is central to its progress paving the way for communication that fosters solutions. We are thankful to our colleagues for their generosity and expertise which has, in great part, allowed for seamless integration of EDI best practices in the last year. Our gratitude extends to our partners whose support continues to assist in pushing our initiatives forward while enriching the greater community. We look forward to joining you in a transformative year.
Chase Brexton Health Care's Institute for Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion: The Institute for EDI | Chase Brexton Health Care
