ACHE of Massachusetts Honors Spaulding Rehabilitation Network with the 3rd Annual Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award!
This award has been given in recognition of the hospital’s outstanding commitment to equality and humanity in the pursuit of healthcare excellence. The honor recognizes Spaulding’s efforts to build culturally competent care, advocating for all communities and developing hiring and employee enrichment programs to be a more inclusive employer. The award was presented virtually during a ceremony with the Spaulding team on Tuesday, November 16, 2021 and then announced live to attendees of ACHE of MA’s Fall Virtual Conference, “Raising the Curtain on Healthcare in America” on Thursday, November 18, 2021.
Left to right are:
Ross Zafonte, DO
President and Senior Vice President of Medical Affairs, Research and Education
Cheri Blauwet, MD
Associate Chief Medical Officer and Director of Disability Access and Awareness
Lynne Brady Wagner, MA, CCC-SLP, HEC-C
Chief Learning Officer and Interim Director of DEI
Spaulding Rehabilitation Network
ACHE of Massachusetts embraces diversity within the healthcare management field and recognizes that priority as both an ethical and business imperative. ACHE of Massachusetts values diversity and initiatives that promote diversity because they can improve the quality of the organization’s workforce. ACHE of Massachusetts also values and actively promotes diversity in its leaders and members because diverse participation can serve as a catalyst for improved decision making, increased productivity, and a competitive advantage.
Further, ACHE of Massachusetts works to foster an inclusive environment that recognizes the contributions and supports the advancement of all, regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, religion, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability because an inclusive environment accurately represents the populations we serve, can enhance the quality of healthcare, improve hospital/community relations, and positively affect the health status of society. This priority is reflected in the chapters various activities and initiatives.
ACHE of Massachusetts is committed to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion through the following activities:
Within the Chapter organization:
- The Chapter Nominating Committee is charged with assuring that the chapter board of directors is broadly representative of the chapter membership and with maintaining a diverse and inclusive chapter leadership.
Within the healthcare management field:
- Strive to conduct at least one chapter educational event per year involving the topic of diversity and inclusion
- Feature the topic of diversity and inclusion each year in Chapter communications, either a Chapter Newsletter or other e-mail communication
- Develop a relationship within minority healthcare associations locally.
- Develop and maintain a caucus organization within the chapter in collaboration with the Asian Healthcare Leaders Association and/or the National Forum of Latino Healthcare Executives.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee
Dee Dee Chen, FACHE
Director of Professional Staff Compensation and Benefits
Massachusetts General Hospital
Natalie Johnson, MPH
Administrative Director, MGH Equity and Community Health
Massachusetts General Hospital
Soraya Kanakis
Graduate Student
Harvard University Extension School & MCPHS
Kerri-Lynne Kellam, MPH
Ambulatory Care Operations Director-Group Practice Manager
Department of Veteran Affairs
Carmen C. Kenrich – Chair
AMN Leadership Solutions
Merritt Hawkins
DVP, Strategic Partnerships
Client Experience Executive
Angie Mayorga
Senior Customer Success Associate
athenahealth
Paul Myoung, MHA, CLSSBB, FACHE
Senior Administrative Director
Massachusetts General Hospital
Barbara Schmidt
Director of Organizational Culture and Engagement
Southcoast Health
Alex Schwarzer, MBA, MPH
Division Manager
Children’s Hospital Boston
Deidre D. Smith, MHSA
Federal Revenue Policy Analyst
Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services
Basel Tarab, MD, MHA
Senior Manager for International Strategy Initiatives, Dana Farber Cancer Institute
Adjunct Faculty, Boston College
Virgilio Velez, BSN, RN
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Program Officer
Lawrence General Hospital
Carla Villacorta, MHA – Co-Chair
Strategic Business Lead, Corporate Strategy
Point32health
LGBT Leaders
Daniel Abeyta, MHA
Health System Specialist
Department of Medicine
VA of Boston
Joseph Castellana, Ph.D.
Vice President, Medical Administration (retired)
Partners Continuing Care Network
June Diversity and Inclusion Calendar of Events
LGBT Pride Month: commemorates the Stonewall Riots and seeks to recognize the impact LGBT people have had around the world
Caribbean American Heritage Month: recognizes the significance of Caribbean culture and history in the U.S.
6/2 – Indian Citizenship Act of 1924 (Native Americans): granted the right of citizenship to all Native Americans born in the U.S. However, the right to vote was not granted until 1957
6/12 – Loving Day (Black American): anniversary of a historic court decision for interracial marriage
Puerto Rican Day Parade (Puerto Rican): largest demonstration of cultural pride in the United States. It promotes prominent, historical figures and seeks to raise awareness of critical issues in the community
6/19 – Juneteenth (Black American): marks the anniversary of when African Americans first learned of the Emancipation Proclamation. It was more than two years after it was initially issued
6/27 – Birthday of Helen Keller (People with Disabilities): while known as being both blind and deaf, Keller was one of the 20th century’s leading humanitarians and co-founder of the ACLU
July 2022 Diversity Calendar
7/2 – Birthday of Thurgood Marshall (Black American): well-known as a civil rights activist who served as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court
7/6 – Birthday of 14th Dalai Lama (Tibetan): Happy Birthday to a Nobel Peace Prize recipient and Tibet’s leader in exile!
7/6 – Birthday of Frida Kahlo (Women, Mexican): one of the most recognizable painters of the 20th century
7/7 – The Hajj (Islamic): annual pilgrimage to Mecca, that all Muslims must take at least once in their lives
7/18 – Birthday of Nelson Mandela (South African): civil rights leader for South Africa, and the country’s first black president
7/25 – Pioneer Day (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) observed: Utah official holiday marking the arrival of LDS church founder Brigham Young arriving to the Salt Lake area
7/26 – Americans with Disabilities Act: outlawed the discrimination against people with disabilities
August Diversity and Inclusion Calendar
8/4 – Birthday of Barack Obama (Black American): Happy Birthday to the United States’ first Black president!
8/9 – International Day of the World’s Indigenous People (United Nations): created by the UN, celebrates the cultures of indigenous peoples around the world
8/30 – Al-Hijri (Islamic): This holiday marks the start of the New Year in the Muslim faith. It begins the prior evening
8/15 – Feast of the Assumption (Roman Catholic): marks the entry of Mary (mother of Jesus), body and soul, into Heaven
8/18 – Birth of Lord Krishna (Hindu): also called Janmashtami, this day celebrates the birth of one of the most popular deities in the Hindu faith, celebrated with a great festival
8/24 – Birthday of Marlee Matlin (People with Disabilities): Marlee Matlin is the only hearing-impaired actor to win the Oscar for best actor/actress
8/26 – Women’s Equality Day: commemorates the American women gaining the right to vote in 1920
8/31 – Ganesh Chaturthi (Hindu): festival celebrating the birth of Lord Ganesha, the God of new beginnings and a fresh start
September Diversity Events Calendar 2022
9/15-10/15 – National Hispanic Heritage Month: This month honors the culture and contributions of both Hispanic and Latino Americans
National Recovery Month: This month helps to educate all Americans on treatment and mental health services for those with substance use disorder
9/20 – HeForShe (Women): initiated by the UN to promote gender equality
9/22 – Autumnal Equinox: As summer moves into fall, the autumnal equinox is a time for various religious observances worldwide
9/25 – 9/27 – Rosh Hashanah (Jewish): the Jewish New Year, a time for reflection in the faith
October Equality and Diversity Calendar
Global Diversity Awareness Month: aims to promote knowledge and respect for various cultures
National Disability Employment Awareness Month: advocates for people with disabilities, and their inclusion in the workforce
Breast Cancer Awareness Month: aims to increase awareness of the disease, one of the leading causes of death in women
National Polish American Heritage Month: dedicated to honoring Polish heritage, October was chosen because it was when Polish settlers first arrived in Jamestown, VA in 1608
10/10 – World Mental Health Day (People with Disabilities): promotes mental health awareness and education, and advocates against social stigma relating to mental health
10/10 – Indigenous Peoples’ Day (United States): formerly called Columbus Day, honors the indigenous people of North America
10/21 – Spirit Day (LGBTQ+): wear purple on this day to support LGBTQ youth and speak out against bullying
10/24 – Diwali (Hindu): significant celebration in the Hindu faith in which they praise diverse deities
November Multicultural Calendar 2022
Native American Heritage Month: celebrates the culture and heritage of individuals who deeply enrich the United States
Movember- month-long fundraiser for men’s issues, including prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and men’s suicide
10/31-11/2 – All Saints Day/All Souls Day/Día de los Muertos: commemorates those who have passed away in the Christian faith and Mexican and Aztec communities
11/16 – International Day for Tolerance (United Nations): founded by the UN to promote respect for various religions, languages, ethnicities, and cultures
11/16 – Dutch American Heritage Day: established to celebrate the longstanding friendship between the U.S. and the Netherlands
11/20 – Transgender Day of Remembrance (LGBTQ+): seeks to remember those who were murdered due to transphobia
December Diversity Calendar 2022
12/1 – World AIDS Day: helps raise awareness of HIV/AIDs and money to cure it
12/3 – International Day of Persons with Disabilities (United Nations): raises awareness for the rights and well-being of those with disabilities
12/10 – International Human Rights Day (United Nations): adopted by the UN in 1948, celebrates the day it the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
12/16-12/24 – Las Posadas (Mexican): religious festival in Mexico and some parts of the U.S. (primarily those with Mexican-Americans) of the Christmas season
12/18-12/26 – Hanukkah (Jewish): celebrates the Jews triumphing over the Syrian Greeks for their independence
12/21 – Winter Solstice/Yule: the winter sabbat according to the Pagan and Wiccan faiths
12/25 – Christmas (Christian): holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ
12/26 – Kwanzaa (Black): 8-day holiday inspired by African harvest celebrations