Penn State Health Inclusion Week events highlight diversity in health care

Penn State Health celebrated its sixth annual Inclusion Week Jan. 15 to 19, a week of events dedicated to expanding awareness of other cultures. Programs showcased diversity as a key component of health care and healing.

Inclusion Week kicked off with National Religious Freedom Day, offering employees, community members and patients the opportunity to share stories of the health system’s RITE values in action and their pride in religious diversity.

Penn State Health’s Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion presented sessions throughout the week on preventing patient bias, learning about the American Nurses Association’s report on racism in nursing, and understanding the Institute for Healthcare Improvement’s Quintuple Aim. The Quintuple Aim covers the intersection of value, caregiver well-being, quality, safety, the patient experience and health equity.

A week for learning and action

Participants in Inclusion Week events learned about psychological safety for diverse populations, ways to promote linguistic awareness and tolerance, racial differences in maternal health, issues impacting diverse patients and the role the military plays in advancing national diversity and inclusion.

The week wrapped up with a Day of Understanding on Jan. 19, an event hosted nationally by organizations committed to advancing diversity and inclusion. The local event focused on fostering candid conversations and inspiring change.

“Inclusion Week continues to provide an opportunity for our community to engage in a dialogue about the impact of diversity on how we care for our patients and the need to create an inclusive, respectful environment for each other and our patients,” said Lynette Chappell-Williams, vice president and chief diversity officer at Penn State Health.

If you attended any Inclusion Week events, please complete this brief survey to let the Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusions know what you enjoyed.

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