June
2002
November 2005 (revised)
As
the professional membership society for healthcare executives,
the American College of Healthcare Executives embraces diversity
within the healthcare management field and recognizes that
priority as both an ethical and business imperative. ACHE values
diversity and initiatives that promote diversity because they
can improve the quality of the organization’s workforce. ACHE
also values and actively promotes diversity in its leaders,
affiliates, and staff because diverse participation can serve
as a catalyst for improved decision making, increased productivity,
and a competitive advantage.
Further,
ACHE works to foster an inclusive environment that recognizes
the contributions and supports the advancement of all, regardless
of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation,
or disability because an inclusive environment can enhance
the quality of healthcare, improve hospital/community relations,
and positively affect the health status of society. This priority
is reflected in ACHE's various activities and initiatives.
Within
the ACHE organization, ACHE promotes diversity through:
- Diversity-specific
accountability for staff. Diversity-specific behaviors
are outlined in the Standards of Excellence for staff and
incorporated into the performance management tools.
- Recruitment
and retention efforts focusing on a diverse qualified workforce.
- New
employee orientation addressing diversity in the workplace,
including recognizing and accepting differences.
- Biennial
diversity training for all staff to help further awareness
and understanding of cultural differences among staff.
- At-large
positions on the Council of Regents to help increase diversity.
- A
Nominating Committee that emphasizes diversity in slating
elected leaders.
Within
the healthcare management field, ACHE promotes diversity
through:
- The Institute
for Diversity in Health Management, co-founded by
ACHE, which collaborates with educators and health service
organizations to expand leadership opportunities for
ethnic minorities in health services management.
- Race/Ethnic
Comparisons of Career Attainments in Healthcare Management,
which are periodic surveys of healthcare executives in
various race/ethnic groups to compare their career attainments.
- Comparisons
of the Career Attainments of Men and Women Healthcare
Executives, which are periodic surveys of the career
attainments of men and women healthcare executives, by
gender.
- The
development of resources, such as the Diversity
and Cultural Proficiency Assessment Tool for Leaders,
created by ACHE, the American Hospital Association, the
Institute for Diversity in Health Management, and the National
Center for Healthcare Leadership, which contains assessment
worksheets and case studies that healthcare leaders may
use to evaluate the diversity and cultural proficiency
of their organization and identify what activities and
practices need to be implemented.
- A
minority internship, a three-month assignment intended
to attract racially/ethnically diverse students into the
fields of healthcare and professional society management
and to further their post-graduate education.
- Albert
W. Dent Student Scholarships, awarded annually to racially/ethnically
diverse students in healthcare management graduate programs.
- Educational
programs and publications addressing the issues of diversity.
Policy
Statements
- "Increasing and Sustaining Racial/Ethnic Diversity
in Healthcare Management"
- "Considering the Value of Older, Experienced Healthcare
Executives"
- "Strengthening Healthcare Employment Opportunities
for Persons With Disabilities"
Approved
by the Board of Governors of the American College of Healthcare
Executives on November 7, 2005. |
