Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Alignment (IDEA)

Reducing Health Care Disparities

Health care disparities are meaningful and unjust differences in health outcomes across patient groups. These include limited access to care, lower quality of care and worse clinical outcomes. We know that we must eliminate health care disparities and work to provide every child with what they need to achieve their full potential. This is a critical component of our Equity Roadmap, which supports achieving our Health, Value and Equity Strategic Pillar.

We have a plan to reduce health care disparities.

In 2021, we launched our Next Frontier Strategy. Our bold vision: To create the healthiest generations of children. Delivering the highest quality medical care will take us far. But exceptional care alone isn’t enough to achieve our goals. To truly transform children’s health, we must also achieve health equity. We're holding ourselves accountable by asking the question: Are we doing everything we can to identify and eliminate health care disparities that impact our patients and communities? Our Equity Roadmap provides the plan to accomplish this objective.

To achieve equitable health care delivery, we are:

1. Producing transparent baseline performance data across clinical and operational areas
2. Realigning quality, safety and patient experience metrics under standard stratified sociodemographic categories, such as race, ethnicity and language (REaL)
3. Implementing data-informed action plans, including improvement measurements, for identified disparities
4. Reducing health care disparities in coordination with The Joint Commission requirements

Associate Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

We believe that achieving health equity begins with associate diversity, equity and inclusion. A culturally safe environment inspires inclusive innovation and excellence reflected in the quality of care we provide for the children, families and our communities. 

By embracing, celebrating and cultivating an inclusive environment for associate diversity, we aspire to contribute to the healthier generations of children. 

The strength of a diverse and inclusive work environment creates more satisfied associates with a stronger sense of community and mission.

Diversity & Inclusion Education

We identify evidence-based, innovating learning experiences to equip associates with the skills to navigate, leverage and elevate individual differences and positive identity construction. On demand or by special request, our learning content responds to the cultural realities of our organization and provides tools to apply in the workplace. For example, our Inclusive Leadership education developed in collaboration with subject matter experts in DEI provides a targeted learning and development opportunity to senior leaders across the enterprise. Equipping senior leaders and their direct reports who manage teams across our regions with inclusive practices will be essential in ensuring the overarching learning and development strategy focused on capacity building from the top down and from the ground up.

Diversity Observances

Exploring diverse cultural traditions can be enjoyable and rewarding and is essential to expand our cultural awareness and sensitivity. Recognizing, appreciating and respecting diverse cultural expressions contributes to a safer and more inclusive work environment, where we can find similarities among differences and thrive together. 

Our monthly Diversity Calendar is a catalog of diverse holidays, observances and special celebrations. It contains a brief description of their significance, traditional customs, forms of celebration and observance, and it’s accompanied by evidence-based guidance and recommendations to expand knowledge, spark cultural curiosity and respectfully participate in diverse customs, while honoring our cultural identity. 

Our ARGs spearhead engagement events, promote education on highlighted observances, share virtual backgrounds for cultural observances and more.

Becker’s Hospital Review — Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officers to Know

Becker’s Healthcare is the go-to source for health care decision makers and one of the fastest growing media platforms in the industry. 

DEI leaders are directing efforts to create inclusive health care environments where everyone feels welcomed, valued and safe. The DEI officers included on this list are instituting training sessions, establishing business resource groups, creating scholarship programs and improving hiring practices in an effort to uplift diverse populations and enhance health equity at their organizations and within their communities. 

In 2023, Rachel J. Thornton, MD was recognized for creating Nemours' first equity roadmap, focusing on the cultural transformation of health care, and creating a demographics dashboard for the organization that offers data on broader diversity goals.

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