Leadership | 08.16.23
Staying Informed on DEI
by Ame Murphy
I have seen a lot of different ways to define diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), but my favorite breakdown is from Dr. Robert Sellers, former chief diversity officer at the University of Michigan.
- Diversity: Everyone is invited to the party.
- Equity: Everyone gets to contribute to the playlist.
- Inclusion: Everyone has the opportunity to dance.
Since we aren’t throwing dance parties at the office, how can we make this more relevant to our office and medical staff? What if we said, "Everyone has a seat at the table, everyone adds something to the discussion, and everyone gets recognized and credit for the final project”?
When we ensure everyone has a seat at the table and that all voices are heard, we are gaining perspectives that differ from our own. Seeking different perspectives will help us gain a better understanding of the bigger picture, see and overcome challenges we may not have recognized, and gain opportunities we wouldn’t have otherwise experienced. In addition, there are multiple studies that show increased emphasis on DEI in the workplace increases productivity. There are many reasons for this, but one of the top reasons is that when staff feel a sense of belonging, they take more pride in the work they are doing.
As medical staff educators, we have endless opportunities and resources to educate ourselves and our medical teams. The amount of DEI-specific literature has increased dramatically in the last couple of years. An internet search of “DEI” pulls up a multitude of articles and websites, and one of my favorites is The Harvard Business Review, which has a page dedicated to diversity. For people who prefer podcasts, there are many great ones out there, including “Untapped's 10 Best Diversity and Inclusion Podcasts,” which is a great resource to lead you to other podcasts. Other resources, many of which are little or no cost, are TEDx Talks, documentaries, and virtual DEI trainings. Many of these can be found on the NAMSS DEI Resources Page.
By actively seeking new information and insights about DEI initiatives, we can work to create a more inclusive world, increase morale, and break down barriers at our workplaces, in our homes, and in all aspects of our lives.
Ame Murphy is a medical staff coordinator at Health West, Inc.