July 7, 2000

FYI posters about diversity

The most recent posters in the FYI campaign are being distributed throughout the hospital this week. The posters focus on valuing diversity and respecting the cultural backgrounds of patients, visitors and other employees. The posters are meant to remind MGHers of the hospital's mission to provide high-quality, individualized care that is culturally sensitive to the needs of all individuals regardless of race, age, religion, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, disability or socioeconomic status.

"Contemporary health care requires that we have the ability to provide care that reflects cultural competence," says Deborah Washington, RN, MS, director of Diversity for Patient Care Services. "As a large teaching hospital, we must be cutting edge in our knowledge of the values, beliefs and customs of our diverse patient population as well as our science."

Because of the importance of the hospital's message about diversity, a Spanish version of the poster also is being distributed to reach a wider audience. The posters are part of the FYI campaign, which is meant to help keep MGHers apprised of important information related to their roles and responsibilities within the MGH community.

For more information about the FYI campaign, call 4-6433.