May 26, 2006

Commitment to diversity focus of retreat

The MGH's commitment to issues of diversity remains focused on creating an inclusive environment for all patients, families and visitors as well as staff and employees. Almost 10 years ago, the hospital began a strategy of addressing issues of recruitment and retention of diverse housestaff, faculty, management, clinical professionals and administrative support employees with results that have changed the workforce of the hospital. In addition, care of a multicultural and multiethnic patient population has become a defining characteristic in the way the hospital provides services.

This focus, as well as how best to move forward, was at the heart of a Diversity Committee retreat held last month. Attending the retreat were all the members of the MGH Diversity Committee, MGH and Massachusetts General Physicians Organization (MGPO) vice presidents, chiefs of service and several other MGHers with key responsibilities in the area of diversity.

The MGH Diversity Committee — chaired by Peter L. Slavin, MD, president of the MGH, and David F. Torchiana, MD, chairman and CEO of the MGPO — has a rich history of accomplishments that serves as a foundation for further progress in the realm of diversity. A few of those accomplishments are the Support Service Employee Grant Program, the MGH Committee on Racial and Ethnic Disparities, funding for additional interpreters and the Multicultural Affairs Office Faculty Development Awards.

With the guidance of the Diversity Committee, the hospital now will build upon these past efforts and develop an updated diversity program. Next steps will integrate further the components of the diversity program into the strategic goals of the hospital. The retreat reaffirmed the importance of addressing the needs of a diverse workforce and patient population.

"The retreat was an excellent opportunity to look at diversity throughout the MGH, to assess where we are and to establish where we want to be," says Slavin. Torchiana adds, "The 100 percent attendance at the retreat indicates the importance of this issue and the commitment to enhancing diversity of all kinds and at all levels throughout the institution."