Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion
Boston Children’s Hospital is where the world’s families come for answers. To be a part of our team is to know that every contribution you make can make a profound difference. It’s to understand that the care we provide includes everything from brain surgery to food service. And it’s to experience the promise that every act of kindness inspires healing and growth – not just for our patients, families, and colleagues – but for our communities alike.
Here, the quality of our care lies in the diverse backgrounds, skills, and contributions of our people. With patients from both local communities and 160 countries around the world, we are deeply committed to reflecting the spectrum of their cultures, while opening doors of opportunity for every member of our team – and the communities that surround us. Because when we’re united in our differences, while pursuing common goals, all things are possible.
Our commitment to diversity has inspired the following initiatives.
Office of Health Equity and Inclusion
Health disparities pose a serious threat to children from marginalized populations. In response to this, we’ve created The Office of Health Equity and Inclusion to close the gaps in health and health outcomes. Ensuring an inclusive environment that does not tolerate any form of racism, discrimination, or bias is central to all that we do.
In pursuing our objectives, we work collaboratively with divisions and departments at Boston Children’s and Harvard Medical School, including the Office of Faculty Development, the Boston Children’s Academy for Teaching and Educational Innovation and Scholarship, Health Affairs, the Office of Graduate Medical Education, the Office of Experience, and Human Resources.
Diversity Partnerships
We’re proud to partner with the following organizations acclaimed for creating avenues of access and advancement for professionals of color.
Conexión
Conexión was created to advance Latino leadership to meet the changing needs in all areas of business and government. Their mission is to create a pipeline of Latinx leaders who understand the challenges and opportunities of the world around us for their own benefit — and the benefit of their families, communities, and country.
The Partnership, Inc.
The Partnership develops professionals of color, increases their representation in Boston area businesses and institutions, and enhances opportunities for advancement and influence. Through their Fellows Program, they provide important leadership training to mid-career professionals — and youth.
Lead Boston
LeadBoston exists to meet the demand for more inclusive leadership. They do so by equipping mid- to senior-level professionals with the knowledge, skills, and network to propel their leadership — and their organization’s success — forward.
Our Unique Employee Resource Groups
Here, the quality of our care lies in the diverse backgrounds, skills, and contributions of our people. With patients from both local communities and 160 countries around the world, we are deeply committed to reflecting the spectrum of their cultures, while opening doors of opportunity for every member of our team. When we’re united in our differences, while pursuing common goals, all things are possible.
Black/African American & Allies
Our Black/African American & Allies Employee Resource Group (BAA & Allies ERG) was established to create an environment that promotes diversity, inclusion, and equity. Specifically, we aim to elevate cultural awareness, foster the advancement and development of Black/African American employees and create connections throughout the Boston Children’s community.
We welcome all interested Boston Children’s employees, physicians, researchers and trainees to join.
Rainbow Alliance
We are also deeply committed to our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) patients and families — and are proud to have been awarded the Healthcare Equality Index’s Leadership Status four consecutive years. The Index reviews health care organizations’ policies and practices to ensure equal access and treatment of LGBTQ patients, visitors and employees.
The mission of the Boston Children’s Rainbow Alliance is to:
- Show support of LGBTQ families, staff, and patients
- Provide resources to LGBTQ staff, patients, and families
- Eradicate homophobia, transphobia and misconceptions about the LGBTQ community at Children’s and in the larger community
Asian and Pacific Islander Collaborative
The Asian and Pacific Islander Collaborative (APIC) was created to uplift the voices of our Asian and Pacific Islander employees, physicians, researchers and trainees.
Our mission is to:
- Provide a channel of awareness, association, encouragement, and support among members of the Asian and Pacific Islander Collaborative community at Boston Children’s Hospital.
- Foster connection and professional development of the Asian and Pacific Islander Collaborative members through mentorship and recognize their contributions across the BCH community.
- Educate those seeking to gain a shared and enhanced understanding about the diverse cultures of the Asian and Pacific Islander Collaborative through awareness, engagement and inclusivity of all parties.
The Spanish Team Collaborative
Our growing Spanish Team Collaborative is comprised of members from Social Work, Interpreter Services, CFF, Child Life, administration, Case Management, Nutrition, Chaplaincy, Nursing, Psychiatry and departments all across the hospital and its satellites.
The majority of team members work with Spanish-speaking patients on a daily basis and understand the challenges families face from a cross-cultural, socioeconomic, political and health literacy perspective.
The mission of the Spanish Team Collaborative is to:
- Provide education, emotional, spiritual and social support to Latino and Spanish speaking families
- Empower and advocate for families
- Educate healthcare providers about the needs of Latino patients and families
- Support and foster the professional growth of Latino and Spanish speaking staff
- Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders in providing family-centered care to Latino families
MLK Observance Committee
Each January, Boston Children’s honors the memory of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr by holding the highly inspirational MLK Observance Program. The event features scholars who speak to his legacy, musical and other artful performances by adolescents and children, and prayers from members of the Spiritual Care Team and other staff — and we use this special day to recognize our Black Achievers for the year.
Young Professionals
The Boston Children’s Young Professionals’ was created to build well-rounded individuals ready to take charge of their potential.
We do so by opening doors of opportunity for all levels of employee life through networking, professional development, social activities, and community activism.
Ultimately, we’re working toward equitable programming within a welcoming, respectful, and warmly supportive community. Our group is open to all Boston Children’s employees both young and young at heart, and our events are targeted towards professionals early in their healthcare careers.
The Children’s Health Equity (CHEq)
At the core of our efforts is the Children’s Health Equity Initiative (CHEq), a part of Boston Children’s Collaboration for Community Health. This initiative supports collaborative projects within specific Boston communities to improve the health and well-being of children and families. The projects will foster new and long-lasting systems that promote and strengthen neighborhood cohesion.
