Our commitment to promoting health equity and belonging for all
MultiCare is on an intentional journey toward health equity, belonging and how we care for our increasingly diverse community. MultiCare’s Center for Health Equity and Wellness was established in 2015, and since then we’ve made great strides toward promoting health equity, providing culturally informed care, addressing health disparities, and partnering with our communities to improve their health and well-being.
To further this work, our system’s workforce diversity and belonging strategy was developed on the foundation of integrating diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEI-B) principles into our leadership, teams and entire organization. Belonging is a fundamental human need: the feeling of being welcomed, accepted and supported as a member of a group.
In recognizing that DEI-B work is ever-changing, we know there’s more to do. As an organization, we’re committed to integrating these efforts into how we operate and into the foundational tools by which we will develop a culture of belonging for our patients and employees. Our strategic plan will help us get there.
Our areas of focus
To achieve impactful outcomes that are intentional, strategic and data-driven, MultiCare has committed to:
- Live out our core values of respect, integrity, stewardship, excellence, collaboration, kindness and joy
- Collectively learn and grow together by utilizing empathy, curiosity and courage
- Identify and address barriers through enhanced data collection, demographic tracking and trend monitoring to integrate accountability standards and equitable practices and performance
- Provide culturally informed education, care competencies and tangible tools for staff and boards to integrate
- Intentionally recruit, retain, engage and promote a diverse workforce to reflect the communities we serve
- Improve and strengthen community partnerships through collaboration and resource support
- Create a culture that encourages and values staff to have courageous conversations about DEI-B topics
Diversity
Diversity exists within an organizational environment that includes a variety of individuals, groups and/or communities with different social and cultural characteristics, working styles, ideas and experiences. Diversity includes characteristics such as, but not limited to, age, gender, race, ethnicity, ability status, sexual orientation, religion or profession.
Equity
Equity means everyone has access, resources and opportunities needed to succeed, regardless of individual difference. Equity can be achieved in the workplace in the fair treatment, access, opportunity and advancement of employees, in conjunction with identifying and eliminating structural barriers that may prevent the participation and representation of all.
Health equity means everyone has access to quality health care and can live a healthy life, regardless of factors such as race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, religion and socioeconomic status.
Inclusion
Inclusion is the intentional involvement and empowerment of all, where the inherent worth and dignity of all people is recognized.
Belonging
Belonging is a fundamental human need: the psychological feeling of being welcomed, connected, supported and accepted as a member of a group. Belonging means valuing and promoting the unique and authentic talents, beliefs, backgrounds and diversity of employees, patients and community.