Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
You belong at Providence. Advancing world-class health through human connection with our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).
What Does DEI Mean to Us?
For the Providence family of organizations, here is how we define diversity, equity and inclusion.
Embracing individual differences and similarities to strengthen our vision, mission and values.
Any dimension that makes individuals or groups unique, including but not limited to race, gender, social class, age, ethnicity, physical ability, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation and lived experiences. Diversity embodies a full awareness of the importance of individual similarities and differences in everyone, including caregivers, suppliers, community members, patients and board members.
Removing barriers and enabling access to resources and opportunities catered to an individual's unique needs.
The intentional act of demonstrating value for everyone by providing the unique individual opportunities, resources and tools necessary for them to achieve success and equal outcomes. Equity involves addressing inequalities and historical and contemporary injustices to achieve the highest potential for all.
Fostering a culture that engages diversity in a way that creates space for value and respect of every individual.
Mindfully creating a psychologically safe work environment and a culture of belonging where different perspectives and backgrounds are honored. Inclusion involves purposefully embracing every individual as they are, treating them with respect and dignity, and empowering them with a voice and a seat at the table.
As part of this commitment, our systemwide DEI Strategic Plan includes actions for improvement — organized around three strategic pillars. These pillars are:
- Promote diversity, equity and inclusion.
- Care for each other and our communities.
- Be courageous champions of change.
A commitment to DEI by Providence organizations is a commitment to better health care, which results in health equity – a world where every person has the chance to live their healthiest life.
Promote DEI
A workplace for all
The Providence family of organizations sees DEI as part of our mission, vision and values. But it’s also how we do what we do — with excellence. We’re focused on promoting DEI, so our caregivers (our employees) and leaders reflect all the communities we serve. Some of our programs include:
Providence has rolled out its inclusive hiring leadership development educational initiative. Hiring for Excellence is designed to increase trust in the hiring process by reducing both organizational and individual biases that could impact hiring at each phase. The intent is to advance and accelerate the creation of a simple, reliable hiring experience that delivers trusted results.
Providence was one of 17 United States health systems to sign the Impact Workforce Commitment (IWC). This commitment aims to build healthy and equitable local economies through hiring and workforce development programs and policies.
We have voluntary, caregiver-led caregiver resource groups (CRGs) that help create a more inclusive workplace. Our CRGs encourage caregivers with shared characteristics or life experiences to come together in community. Providence organizations’ CRGs range from Black and LGBTQIA+ to veterans and are open to all caregivers.
Care for Each Other and Our Communities
Where everyone belongs
The Providence family of organizations believes in the dignity and value of every person. Our focus is on human connection and growing a culture of inclusion.
Caring for each other and our communities is how we keep caregivers and patients at the center of all we do. So that we can be well — together. Some of our programs include:
Inclusion is a key driver to employee engagement and retention. One way we keep our caregivers’ voices top of mind is by intentionally listening to their experiences through our organizational caregiver experience survey. Our goal with the survey outcome is to meet or exceed the benchmark set by other health care organizations across the United States.
We believe that our leaders and our caregivers are at the heart of DEI excellence. As part of ongoing DEI education, we provide implicit bias training for caregivers and core leaders. We prepare and train hiring managers to hire for excellence. We equip leaders to recognize and disrupt biased decision making and behavior patterns to confront biases, promote inclusion, and seek their full potential through an experiential, peer-based learning, Inclusive Leadership workshop. And we guide Caregiver Resource Groups (CRGs) based on our overall organizational strategy.
Be Courageous Champions of Change
Striving to make a difference
Our Providence family of organizations want to be steadfast in our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
Being courageous champions of change means making a difference at the highest levels, in the most impactful ways. From board members to frontline leaders, we are committed to having our leaders be representative of our communities and patients. In practice, whether developing inclusive leaders or championing supplier diversity policies and practices, we aim to be both a pillar and an ally in our communities. Some of our programs include:
The reverse mentoring program partners an executive leader with a caregiver from a different background. The caregiver serves as a mentor to the executive leader. Through this relationship, the leader and caregiver have honest conversations about diversity, equity and inclusion. Leaders also gain confidence in their ability to build and lead diverse teams.
Providence organizations commit to working with a diverse supplier population, including:
- LGBTQIA+ businesses
- Local and disadvantaged businesses
- Small businesses located in historically underused business zones
- Women-, veteran- and minority-owned businesses
Providence was one of 12 health systems to sign the Impact Purchasing Commitment (IPC) through Healthcare Anchor Network.
Hear From Our Chief DEI Officer
Our Commitment
“We’re going all in with our continued commitment to DEI. It makes us better at what we do. DEI supports and drives our Mission forward. I believe it’s central to doing our jobs with excellence and creating health for a better world.”
Karen Ashley
Chief DEI Officer at Providence
At our Providence family of organizations, leaders and caregivers represent all walks of life – where you are seen, heard and loved – and do better work because of it.
We can better care for the communities we serve when we are part of them. DEI means being a catalyst for change, seeking out those who need us most and improving access to care.
