Overview

America’s healthcare organizations are working hard to ensure that every person in every community receives high-quality, equitable, and safe care. To do that, we must eliminate health care disparities that continue to exist for far too many diverse individuals. Recognizing the hard work and focus that organizations are putting into meeting diversity, inclusion, and equity goals, ACHE of Massachusetts annually presents an award to recognize the achievements and innovations so that others can be aware of emerging best practices and successes.

ACHE of MA initiated this award in 2018 to assess and highlight the efforts and progress that Massachusetts healthcare organizations have made to be as broadly diverse and inclusive as possible. We encourage all healthcare organizations in Massachusetts to apply for the 2022 award by informing us how they have created/initiated strategies and are implementing the following key criteria. Please note, success in all areas is not required in order to be considered for the award.

Key Award Criteria

  • Collection and use of diversity data (e.g., race, religion, gender, nation of origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, language preference).
  • Cultural competency training.
  • Diversity in governance and leadership.
  • Improving and strengthening community partnerships.
  • Inclusive health/wellness resources.
  • Incorporation of DEI lens into other business areas (e.g., supplier diversity, investment portfolio, etc.).

Award Focus

  1. Collection and use of DEI data: Increasing the collection of DEI-related data (e.g., race, religion, gender, nation of origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, language preference). Please describe the strategy your organization is using to collect and utilize this data. What measures of success can you highlight?
  2. Increasing cultural competence: How is your organization increasing cultural competence? Include internal and external initiatives. What have been key learnings and creative strategies to make training effective?
  3. Increasing diversity in governance and leadership: What is the current diversity status of your governance and leadership? What steps have been taken to diversify your board and leadership? What are your plans to sustain diversity?
  4. Communication, outreach, and community partnerships: How does your organization engage with the community? How have partnerships with diverse communities been strengthened? Please share examples or metrics.
  5. Providing resources for equitable and fair treatment of employees:

    Mental Health: Knowing that diverse patients and employees are under-resourced in mental health, what steps has the organization taken to reduce this gap? What actions ensure equal access to available mental health programs?

    Additional Resources: Does your organization offer other resilience resources (e.g., oral health, vision/hearing services, services related to social determinants of health)?

    How have these resources evolved to accommodate staff needs? Are they offered in multiple languages or formats? Do you offer flexible schedules or remote work options?

  6. Incorporation of DEI across business: How does your organization integrate DEI throughout operations? What innovations or successes can you highlight? Share any additional information that demonstrates your DEI commitment.

Submission Information

To be considered for the 4th Annual ACHE of MA Diversity Leader Award, kindly submit your application describing how your organization has created/initiated strategies related to the award criteria.

Deadline: Monday, October 3, 2022

Email your submission to: info@massache.org

The award will be presented at the ACHE Fall Event in Burlington, MA on November 1, 2022.

Mark your calendar and register for the event: www.massache.org