“At WellSpan we’re focused on cultivating a workplace where every team member shares a sense of belonging and feels empowered to thrive in their careers,” said Aaron Gillingham, senior vice president and chief people officer, WellSpan Health. “Our comprehensive strategy includes recruitment, community engagement and ongoing employee education and training to develop teams that inspire each other.”
Earlier this year, WellSpan launched Team Member Resource Groups (TMRGs). These voluntary, employee-led groups connect team members who share an identity, background or experience, with their workplace allies. The goal of these groups is to provide actionable insights for historically marginalized team members and patient populations, making a direct impact on the system’s strategic diversity and health equity priorities. TMRGs have grown organically out of WellSpan’s award-winning Inclusion Champion Training Program, which has trained team members to actively serve as allies and promoters of equity for each other and patients. More than 325 team members have graduated since the first offering of the program in 2022.
“This recognition reaffirms our commitment to creating an environment where every team member achieves a shared sense of comfort, connection, contribution and feels empowered to excel. Our initiatives like the Team Member Resource Groups and the Inclusion Champion Training Program are pivotal in driving our vision forward,” said Kim Brister, vice president and chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer, WellSpan Health. “We are on the right path, yet there is more to accomplish. This accolade inspires our continued efforts to advance a culture of belonging and optimally positions our workforce to provide the safest, highest-quality, and most affirming care to our diverse communities.”
In support of that effort, planning is underway for one of WellSpan's prominent annual events: the third annual Black Men in White Coats Youth Summit, designed to inspire school-age children to consider medical careers with the long-term goal of improving today’s racially disproportionate medical workforce. The event will be held May 31 at York College of Pennsylvania and will offer students in grades six to 12 a full day of healthcare career exploration. Registration opens in January 2025. Click here to learn more.
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