Henry Ford Health System #1 Again in National Ranking of Diverse Workplaces

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Henry Ford Health System is in the top spot on an annual ranking that spotlights hospitals and health systems that excel at fostering and promoting a diverse workplace and inclusive environment that benefits employees, patients and suppliers.

DiversityInc’s 2016 survey and ranking of Top 10 Hospitals & Health Systems was more rigorous and data-driven than ever before, says the New Jersey-based publication.

The criteria to determine the list are similar to those used for the DiversityInc Top 50 companies. They measure talent pipeline, talent development, leadership commitment and supplier diversity.

Henry Ford has been at the top or near the top of the list numerous time since the survey launched 10 years ago.

“We are proud at moments like this, when the hard work that goes into building a foundation for a diverse and inclusive workplace is recognized,” says Dr. Kimberlydawn Wisdom, Senior Vice President of Community & Equity and Chief Wellness & Diversity Officer for Henry Ford Health System. “More importantly we are encouraged to expand on that work not just because of the recognition but because we see how a diverse workplace leads to better care of patients and the members of the community we serve.”

DiversityInc seeks out organizations that demonstrate best practices in: employee resource group participation, manager participation in cross-cultural mentoring, executive diversity councils setting goals tied to executive compensation and educating and mentoring diverse suppliers. The ranking is meant to provide role models for other health systems – or companies – to follow.

Initiatives and programs that support diversity and social responsibility at Henry Ford include:

• A system-wide Healthcare Equity Campaign, focused on raising awareness, improving cross cultural communication, and integrating changes into system policies
• The Institute on Multicultural Health through the Healthcare Equity Scholars Program. • A Multicultural Dermatology Clinic, specializing in hair, tissue, and skin treatment for patients from diverse ethnicities
• Multiple training opportunities for health system leaders and employees in diversity and inclusion, culturally appropriate care, and health care equity
• Employee Resource Groups for women, Hispanic/Latino, Middle Eastern, African American, Gen-Y, and LGBT employees
• Recognized in 2016 and several prior years as a “Leader in LGBT Healthcare Equality” by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation
• The health system also has a very active supplier diversity program and more than 300 minority suppliers in its database.
• “We believe that respecting each and every individual and meeting their distinct needs should be a part of every interaction we have, whether with an employee, a supplier, a patient or visitor,” says Wisdom. “We will remain committed to diversity and health care equity as our nurses, doctors, researchers and other crucial staff collectively bring the best medical care to Detroit, metro Detroit and Michigan.”

MEDIA CONTACT:
Kim North Shine
knorth1@hfhs.org
(313) 549-4995