What does it look like to promote equity for healthcare workers?

“Faith is taking the first step, even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Given that Monday is Martin Luther King Day. Holiday in the U.S., it is fitting to take a moment to honor what the holiday spirit means for healthcare.

You and I each have a responsibility to promote equity and elevate the voices of our global healthcare community members who have been historically marginalized.

Maybe that means standing up for and amplifying the voice of a colleague from a Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) background. Or maybe that means taking a step back to consider how your clinic or system’s policies impact people from diverse communities and levels of the hierarchy within your healthcare system.

For example, can you ensure that people working in housekeeping or environmental services have priority access to transportation and childcare benefits? Or can you make some changes to provide nursing mothers time (& space) to pump and take a break between patients?

Are there small changes you can make to boost equity for people across the power structure in your healthcare system today?

To hear a few stories from the Menders community, check out the How to elevate diverse employees to build safety and resilience episode! Or explore these concepts further when you enjoy an episode from the archives, including my conversations with Drs. Dahyeon Kim, Orlando Sanchez, Jessica Chen, and Scott Michael.

What’s new on Menders?

This week you’ll hear from Natalie Lamberton, who embodies courage and models gracious leadership as she prioritizes serving her people. Natalie shares the challenges she experienced and the lessons she learned

as a young black female CEO. She models servant leadership and a willingness to speak the truth in boldness.

Market Research

I’m in the early stages of developing a guide for healthcare CEOs to address burnout hot spots quickly and effectively. I need to hear from you to do a bang-up job and create something perfectly tailored to your needs!

If you’re an executive healthcare leader (or the manager of a large department or clinic) in a healthcare system and you’re willing to share your insights on the current challenges in healthcare, please send me an email (dr.nicoladepaul@mendinghealthsystems.com) and let me know, “Yes, you need to hear my perspective!”

#equity #courageousleadership #martinlutherkingday #leadership