March 2023:
DEI Committee Helps to Educate About Ramadan and its Impact on Patients and Colleagues
ACHE of MA DEI committee member and chair of the Celebration and Spotlight committee, Barbara Schmidt, had a quick interview with Basel Tarab, MD, MHA- ACHE of MA DEI Committee Vice Chair about Ramadan, its significance and how it could impact patients and colleagues. Please watch it HERE.
About the ACHE of MA Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee
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
Gabrielle Amarosa
Lead Healthcare Business Intelligence Consultant
Dimensional Insight
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 Bioengineering & Nanotechnology
Kerri-Lynne Kellam, MPH
Senior Strategic Operations Officer
VA Boston Healthcare System
Carmen C. Kenrich
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
Dmitry Petion
Wayne Saltsman, MD
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 – Chair
Strategic Business Lead, Corporate Strategy
Point32health
Justine Zilliken, MBA, MHA, FACHE
Chief Strategy Officer
Sturdy Memorial Hospital
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
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