Presentation recaps the State of Diversity at med center

The Nebraska Medicine Inclusion and Diversity Office and the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Office of Inclusion delivered its inaugural State of Diversity presentation in December.

The presentation provided an in-depth look into both offices’ efforts in advancing diversity, equity and inclusion at both Nebraska Medicine and UNMC.

Jim Linder, MD, CEO of Nebraska Medicine, said CEOs across the nation have expressed concern about workforce availability. “The No. 1 solution to fixing this is to be sure all feel included in these efforts,” he said. “Today you will learn where we are in those targeted efforts of DEI.”

Sheritta Strong, MD, UNMC assistant vice-chancellor of inclusion, said, “Inclusive excellence can evolve from a growing and thriving Nebraska Medicine and UNMC, which depends on the voices, ideas and success of all members of our communities.”

Dr. Strong touched on several initiatives built into UNMC’s strategic goal five regarding DEI. The initiatives include recruitment, retention, mentorship, cultural changes and environment. Additionally, implicit bias training is a requirement for all students, faculty and staff serving on admissions and search committees.

The UNMC Office of Equity, led by director Brandy Clarke, PhD, uses the design thinking model for equity. This process uses the mindset to break free from traditional thinking as it relates to DEI.

A design thinking boot camp with a focus on gender equity was held in April 2022. About 50 individuals identified and addressed barriers related to workplace DEI, leading to several initiatives.

Dr. Strong noted an important, growing partnership between Nebraska Medicine and UNMC with employee resource groups. One purpose of ERGs is to highlight, support and promote a sense of belonging and cultural programming across campus.

After one year, the Nebraska Medicine Inclusion and Diversity Office has built a team dedicated to advancing DEI efforts, led by Ada Wilson, JD, vice president-chief inclusion and diversity officer.

Wilson reminded participants that Nebraska Medicine’s overall mission as a health system is to offer extraordinary patient care by having an inclusive work environment and being held accountable by national standards.

The Health Equity Diversity and Inclusion Council launched in March 2022 to develop strategic health equity goals and metrics.

It is important to note there are federal reporting requirements that impact collection of data. Future plans involve building out more accurate ethnicity designations and moving towards collecting more sophisticated gender identity data beyond sex assigned at birth.

The data points will allow for intentional efforts and decisions for the workforce.

UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, MD, closed the presentation by reminding people of their responsibility to educate the next generation of health care professionals and medical scientists. “It’s possible,” he said, “and it’s all happening right here.”