Diversity, inclusion, equality, equity, implicit bias, microaggressions, and stereotypes were all concepts and terms covered in the Championing Diversity in the Healthcare Field virtual workshop led by Gwynette Williams – Leadership and Professional Development Guru, on Saturday, March 5, 2022. Thirty (30) undergraduate and health professional 2021 – 2022 Health Careers Ambassador Program students participated in the discussion where each was able to define diversity, equity, and inclusion and compare the differences between these concepts; identify implicit biases and increase equity in the health professions field; define implicit bias and microaggressions and give examples of these concepts in action; integrate specific strategies to support diversity, inclusion, and equity. Also, as a part of the workshop, students were introduced to the importance of having diversity, equity, and inclusion as organizational values within the healthcare management field and how these core values are crucial when providing healthcare to diverse communities.
As a takeaway, students were provided with the American Hospital Association’s (AHA) Institute for Diversity and Health Equity (IFDHE) toolkit which is designed to support hospitals and health systems to achieve health equity within a healthcare organization. More specifically, this toolkit focused on training and education strategies with approaches to encourage cultural humility and overcome implicit bias among health professionals within the systems in which they serve.
As a bonus, several videos related to implicit bias were shared as well as some pointed discussion on how segregation has and is affecting schools, health, and wealth, globally.
With this workshop, the students (future health professionals) became better equipped to serve as champions of diversity in their fields of study which in turn will positively impact the health outcomes of the groups, communities, and populations they intend to serve.