Trustee Insights Edition Explores DEI and Supporting Nursing Professions

The latest edition of Trustee Insights, the monthly digital package from the American Hospital Association (AHA), is now available. This month’s issue includes an article about the board’s role in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). 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 in those strategies. Two areas of emphasis are recognizing the increasing prominence DEI plays in quality and playing an important role as vocal leaders to move DEI forward.

There is also a link to the quantitative and qualitative research done by Johnson & Johnson, the American Nurses Association and the American Organization for Nursing Leadership that evaluate the impacts of the pandemic on the nursing profession. The research provides next steps and promising practices that will be essential in delivering the full potential of the nursing profession.

The expanded website and enhanced monthly e-newsletter of Trustee Insights are available through the AHA Trustee Services webpage. They are free, do not require AHA membership and include articles, tools and webinars. Those interested in subscribing to AHA Trustee Insights may do so online.

For information about MHA trustee resources, contact Erin Steward at the MHA.

Webinar Addresses Differences Between DEI and Health Equity

Often the phrases “diversity, equity and inclusion,” or DEI, and “health equity” are used interchangeably. While they do overlap and there is synergy between the two, the terms are not synonymous.

In a free webinar hosted by the MHA Keystone Center and the Michigan Public Health Institute from 10 to 11 a.m. July 15, Lynn Todman, PhD, and Ovell Barbee of Spectrum Health will share how diversity, equity and inclusion and health equity are distinct but overlapping and mutually supportive bodies of work.

Todman and Barbee will use patient “personas” to illustrate the differences and points of overlap. Additionally, Barbee will cover Spectrum Health’s framework for DEI strategy, and Todman will provide an overview of the guiding principles, goals and strategic framework of health equity work.

Todman is the vice president of health equity at Spectrum Health Lakeland, where she leads efforts to advance health equity. She is also the catalyst behind Community Grand Rounds, which aims to educate and share the impact of structural racism on health and stimulate community and health system action to address racial health inequities.

Barbee, senior vice president, human resources, and chief diversity officer, Spectrum Health, leads and directs various workplace strategies in the health system, including talent acquisition, DEI and employee relations.

The webinar is offered free of charge, but registration is required. Members with questions may contact the MHA Keystone Center.

Register by June 22 for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Virtual Series

As part of its work to address racism and health inequities, the MHA is offering a virtual series to address numerous diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) concepts, including:

  • Why equity remains the missing element in achieving a more inclusive and diverse work environment.
  • Staff resistance that routinely surfaces and how to engage employees in every step of the DEI journey.
  • Equitable messaging to advertising, media and business-to-business partners that connects with the emotions of DEI.
  • Partnerships that enhance and increase DEI credibility and how to use the “win-when” partnership assessment framework.
  • The professional and personal member organizations that are based on racial affinity and can build on your DEI strategy, as well as the do’s and do nots in developing a pipeline for inclusion.

An important orientation webinar will take place from 11 a.m. to noon June 30, followed by four webinars held from 11 a.m. through 12:15 p.m. Chief executive officers, medical, nursing and human resources executives, governing board members, and key DEI leaders are encouraged to participate. Pricing includes the entire series and is available for teams of five members and larger. Registration is due June 22.

To register, contact the MHA Field Engagement division indicating the intention to register for the DEI series and providing an email address and phone number. Registrants will be contacted for additional information to complete the process. Questions about the series should be directed to Erin Steward at the MHA.

The MHA is discussing with the state whether the information provided in the DEI virtual series will fulfill the new implicit bias training requirement for healthcare providers who apply for initial licensure or relicensure after May 31, 2022. For more information on the new rules, contact Paige Fults at the MHA. An additional opportunity to learn about DEI is available through a July 15 webinar offered by the MHA Keystone Center, which is not related to the new rules.

MHA and MHA Keystone Center Events Focus on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

To act deliberately and purposefully to ensure outcomes across all patient populations are equitable, leaders should know where disparities exist, ways to prevent disparities and how to create a culture and system that reduces disparities to improve quality and save lives. As part of the work of the MHA Pledge to Address Racism and Health Inequities, the MHA and the MHA Keystone Center are offering multiple events to address diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).

A virtual series beginning June 30 and concluding Aug. 31 will address four DEI concepts: DEI implementation; equitable conversations; equitable messaging; equitable partnership building; and diversity pipeline development.

The June 30 webinar is an orientation from 11 a.m. to noon, followed by four webinars held from 11 a.m. through 12:15 p.m. EDT. Hospital and health system executives, including chief executive officers; medical, nursing and human resources executives; governing board members; and key DEI leaders are encouraged to participate to advance their health equity efforts. Pricing includes the entire series and is available for teams of five members and larger. To register, contact the MHA Field Engagement division by June 22 and indicate the intention to register for the DEI series, providing an email address and phone number. Registrants will be contacted for additional information to complete the process. Questions about the series should be directed to Erin Steward at the MHA.

The MHA Keystone Center and Michigan Public Health Institute are offering an additional webinar, separate from the series, from 10 to 11 a.m. EDT July 15. The event, Addressing the Confusion: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and Health Equity, will address key distinctions between the phrases “diversity, equity and inclusion” and “health equity.” These phrases are often used interchangeably; however, the terms are not synonymous. Lynn Todman, PhD, and Ovell Barbee, SPHR, of Spectrum Health will use patient “personas” to illustrate the differences and points of overlap.

Additionally, Barbee will cover Spectrum Health’s framework for DEI strategy and Todman will provide an overview of the guiding principles, goals and strategic framework of health equity work. The event is offered free of charge, but registration is required. For more information on this virtual offering, contact the MHA Keystone Center.