Diversity and Inclusion Definitions at Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus
Why Diversity and Inclusion?
Diversity and inclusion are important parts of a well-rounded hospital. Our staff and leadership need to represent and reflect our community and in doing so, Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus will provide better, more appropriate health care delivery and services.
Key Definitions
Diversity is about bringing together all backgrounds, beliefs and experiences. Every person — whether an employee, a physician, a supplier or a patient — has a unique perspective and can provide potential ideas, solutions and strategies that can help advance the overall health of the people of New Jersey.
Equity is the fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement for all people, while striving to identify and eliminate barriers that have prevented the full participation of certain groups through institutions or systems.
Inclusion is about creating a sense of belonging, by consciously inviting, welcoming, respecting and engaging each other without bias. By intentionally embracing an expansive set of attitudes, attributes, cultures and skills throughout our health care system, we are creating a culture where everyone is valued and treated with respect and dignity. Inclusion is an important part of how we harness the power of diversity.
Cultural humility is being aware of our deficient knowledge having a humble and respectful attitude toward individuals and other cultures. It is the idea of adopting a growth mindset to continuously learn from others as we treat others how they want to be treated.
Unconscious biases also known as implicit biases, are the attitudes or stereotypes that affect our understanding, actions, and decisions in an unconscious manner. Everyone possesses those biases.
Health equity is to remove barriers deterring one to reach their full health potential. At RWJBarnabas Health, we continue to take a comprehensive and strategic approach to address health disparities in our communities. As one of the largest employers and a major economic engine in communities across the state, we believe it is our responsibility to play a major role in improving health outcomes for underserved communities across New Jersey. Our goal is to improve the health of the communities that we serve, improve the experience of our patients while reducing cost per capita.
Cultivating Cultural Competency
Our goal is to create an environment free of harm, focused on quality care resulting in helpful equitable outcomes in a mutually respectfully and courteous manner for all.
Workforce Optimization in Action
We will achieve this goal in collaboration with our Board of Trustees, Hospital Leadership, Physicians and Staff. Building a culture of mutual respect for everyone is a strategic pillar intersecting with our high reliability organization (HRO) journey. We are committed to ensuring all colleagues, patients, patient family members and business associate interactions result in positive, harmless, helpful, inclusive and respectful experiences. Our ability to become a culturally competent health care provider depends on our success in fostering this cultural shift.
Operationalizing Diversity and Inclusion: Employee Engagement
Employee engagement began with cultural awareness; in August of 2017, RWJBH began cultural awareness training with computer based learning. This was an initial system wide educational requirement that continues for new hires today.
Goals
Continue to deliver cultural awareness, knowledge, sensitivity and competency training for all leadership, physicians, and employees. We will establish business resource groups (BRGs) that will work to identify opportunities to enhance workforce and patient experiences while working at or visiting our facilities. The BRGs are described as follows:
Business Resource Groups
Business Resource Groups (BRGs) are voluntary employee led groups designed to serve as resource to their members and support the organization in creating a diverse, inclusive and engaged workplace. A BRG is composed of employees who are linked by social factors such as culture or by common interest or goal within an organization. The goal of the BRGs is to create a high energy climate of diverse thought, creativity and innovation that fully engages our employees and the community.
Global Minds
Global Minds is a business resource group that fosters a positive work environment that embraces all religions, lifestyles, and preferences, resulting in a welcoming workplace where various cultures are recognized and celebrated.
Emerging Leaders Network
The Emerging Leaders Network provides opportunities for staff to succeed in their roles and to support one another in pursuit of higher education and upward mobility in various career paths.
Questions?
For questions, contact:
Chaim Sender
732-886-4151
Chaim.Sender@rwjbh.org
