Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of New Jersey (NBIMC’s) Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion works to ensure that diversity and inclusion are woven into the fabric of everything we do. They partner with our senior leaders, business resource groups, internal business units, and the community to impact our organization, empower employees, enrich the patient experience, engage the communities we serve, and support RWJBH’s efforts to eliminate health disparities.
A Best Class Hospital for Diversity and Inclusion
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of New
Jersey are two often RWJBarnabas Health facilities that are recognized
as “2022 Leaders in LGBTQ+ Health Care Equality” by the Human
Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation, the educational arm of America’s
largest civil rights organization, working to achieve equality for lesbian,
gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people. The distinguished honor of
being selected as “Health Care Equality Leaders” was based
on the HRC Foundation’s annual Health Care Equality Index (HEI),
the nation’s leading benchmarking assessment of health care facilities
identifying health care organizations that are leaders in efforts to offer
equitable care to LGBTQ+ patients by evaluating inclusive policies and
practices related to LGBTQ+ patients, visitors, and employees.
Business Resource Groups
Business Resource Groups (BRGs), also known as employee resource groups, affinity groups, or employee networks are groups of employees from the workplace who join together based on shared characteristics and/or life experiences. In general, BRGs provide support for fellow colleagues, foster career development, and contribute to cultural sensitivity in the work environment. At Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of New Jersey, they have proven to be so much more. BRGs are more than a network of employees engaged in extracurricular activities. They are vital partners for moving RWJBH business objectives forward by impacting employee and patient engagement, community outreach, and diversity and cultural competency education.
Diversity and Inclusion Partners
RWJBH’s BRGs have proven their value proposition and are becoming a called upon resource in the organization. Additionally, as a result of their efforts, excellence, and innovative projects, they have become a valued resource for other BRGs and organizations seeking ways to further connect employee-led groups to business objectives.
Leadership Development
One key advantage of RWJBH’s BRGs is the way we leverage the groups as a platform for developing leaders. BRG leaders are exposed broadly to the organization—increasing leadership competencies—while gaining in-depth knowledge of RWJBH priorities and how the organization operates. In addition, they are exposed to executive mentoring by executive sponsors, as well as frequent interactions with leaders across our system when exploring opportunities to link their efforts to organizational initiatives or developing and implementing BRG Business Impact Projects.
Business Impact
The BRGs, which originally started out as groups of employees tasked with supporting diversity and inclusion initiatives, have evolved into viable resources who respond to an array of opportunities for RWJBH. A sought after resource by the organization, the groups lead Business Impact Projects that are linked to key organizational metrics—financial performance, employee and patient engagement, and market-place positioning.
Below are NBIMC’s current Business Resource Groups.
Advancement of Women through Advocacy Recognition and Empowerment (A.W.A.R.E.)
The goal of Advancement of Women through Advocacy Recognition and Empowerment (A.W.A.R.E.) Business Resource Group (BRG) is to foster a stimulating, equitable, and nurturing culture for women through networking, education, and community – not only socially, but also through promoting positive camaraderie and supportive relationships among all women regardless of background, experiences, or role in the NBIMC & CHoNJ community. A.W.A.R.E seeks to build a foundation, and contribute to the success of NBIMC & CHoNJ by attracting talented women to a supportive, inclusive, and welcoming workplace that promotes the best care for our patients.
Cultural Advocacy and Respect for Everyone (C.A.R.E.)
The goal of Cultural Advocacy and Respect for Everyone (C.A.R.E.) Business Resource Group (BRG) is to foster a positive work environment that supports employees, patients, and patient families identifying as different cultures, religion, mindsets and/or beliefs, primarily by leading eff orts to provide the NBIMC & CHoNJ community with professional development and continuing education regarding different cultures, religion, mindsets and/or beliefs, as well as by providing outreach and advocacy throughout the medical center and Greater Newark area and surrounding communities. This will contribute to the success of NBIMC & CHoNJ by attracting employees to a diverse, welcoming workplace, and promoting the best, most effective and high quality care for our patients.
Providing Opportunities to Welcome Equal Rights (P.O.W.E.R.)
The goal of the POWER (Providing Opportunities to Welcome Equal Rights) Business Resource Group (BRG) is to cultivate spaces for NBIMC and CHoNJ employees to unite and bring awareness to social justice issues in our community. Through service and learning, we strive to educate and advocate for a more inclusive culture that embodies equity for both our employees and the community we serve. By collaborating with our local community, we strive to strengthen our relationships as well as support and lift up those who are already working towards equity and justice. The POWER BRG assures our staff and community that we work towards an equitable place to work and receive health care.
Providing Respect, Inclusion, Dignity, And Empowerment (P.R.I.D.E.)
The goal of PRIDE (Providing Respect, Inclusion, Dignity, and Empowerment) Business Resource Group (BRG) is to foster a positive work environment that supports employees, patients, and patient families identifying as LGBTQ primarily by leading eff orts to provide the Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of NJ (NBIMC & CHoNJ) community with professional development and continuing education regarding LGBTQ, as well as by providing outreach and advocacy throughout the Hospital and Greater Newark surrounding communities. This will contribute to the success of NBIMC & CHoNJ by attracting employees to a diverse, welcoming workplace, and promoting the best, most effective care for our patients.
Veterans Engaging Through Service (V.E.T.S.)
The goal of VETS (Veterans Engaging Through Service) Business Resource Group (BRG) is to foster a positive work environment that supports employees, patients, and patient families identifying as Veterans and Active members of the Armed Forces primarily by leading eff orts to provide the Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of NJ (NBIMC & CHoNJ) community with professional development and continuing education regarding VETS, as well as by providing outreach and advocacy throughout the Hospital and Greater Newark surrounding communities. This will contribute to the success of NBIMC & CHoNJ by attracting employees to a diverse, welcoming workplace, and promoting the best, most effective care for our patients.
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