Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)
Who we are
At Children's Health℠, we understand that diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) initiatives create a workplace where patients, team members and community members feel welcomed, valued and like they belong. The DE&I team supports the organizational goals with strategies that ensure inclusivity at all levels of the health system. Learn more about who we are in our 2022 People Report.
What is Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)?
We view DE&I as three concepts that work together.
- Diversity is the representation of varied demographics that make up our individual identities. It is all the things that make us different and similar.
- Equity is ensuring each person has equal access to the opportunities, networks and resources they need to succeed.
- Inclusion is the intentional action we take to welcome, value and respect each person’s uniqueness.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs at Children’s Health
We offer several programs that foster a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace. Learn about some of our programs, including workforce development initiatives and employee workgroups.
Employee work groups at Children’s Health
Children's Health has fostered several collaborative workgroups who represent broad diversity and help create an inclusive workplace. These changemaking work groups consist of Children's Health employees who volunteer their time. Employee Work Groups (EWGs) are open to all employees and provide a safe environment to find support, mentoring and friendship. EWGs serve as thought partners and advisors to leadership around issues related to DE&I to help cultivate an inclusive environment and amplify the voices and perspectives of our diverse workforce. They also work with organizations across our region to promote inclusion through cultural and community events, partnerships and support.
Health Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Commission (HEDIC)
The Health Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Commission (HEDIC) is a unique group in our organization with more than 500 members all focused on our patients receiving equitable care. HEDIC is open to any team member interested in advancing health equity or DE&I work in general at Children’s Health.
We are incredibly proud that as of November 2022, 30% of Children’s Health team members are engaged in one of our six EWGs – nearly double the industry average of 16%.
Learn More About Our EWGs
PRIDE
Our LGBTQ+ employee workgroup, PRIDE (Participation, Respect, Inclusion, Diversity, and Equality) has helped to foster an inclusive, safe and welcoming environment for those who identify as LGBTQ and LGBTQ allies. PRIDE seeks ways to advocate for our LGBTQ patients, team members, community and allies.
Women Empowering Women
Our Women Empowering Women employee workgroup is focusing on creating a positive, engaging and supportive network for females aspiring to leadership roles. The group is committed to diversity and inclusion, seeking to promote advancement and proportionate representation of woman at all levels in the organization, as well as work-life balance.
Veterans Empowerment Team (VET)
Children’s Health is committed to hiring military veterans and helping them make a successful transition to a fulfilling career impacting children’s lives in North Texas. The VET employee workgroup supports those in uniform and those who have served through recruitment outreach, and by building relationships with military and veteran service organizations.
Hispanic/Latinx Organization of Leaders in Action (HOLA)
The HOLA workgroup aims to establish an employee support system that will raise awareness about the Hispanic and Latino community among our workforce and patient families, while also celebrating the unique value Hispanic/Latinx team members bring to the organization.
Abilities Beyond Limited Expectations (ABLE)
As a key component of our diversity and inclusion strategy, our ABLE employee workgroup provides engagement and support for those who have visible and invisible challenges at Children's Health. It works with leaders and the recruiting team to obtain resources needed to eliminate barriers and help these team members succeed.
Build, Lead and Learn, Advocate, and Collaborate (BLAC)
The vision of BLAC is to support a diverse and inclusive workforce at Children's Health where all employees, with a focus on those who identify as black, are empowered to achieve their greatest potential, and where all patients receive health care that extends their expectation as related to quality, dignity and equity.
Workforce development at Children’s Health
A key component of our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion journey is development. Through strong community partnerships and structured programs, we help individuals begin or grow their careers. Our workforce development programs, such as apprenticeships, internships and corporate work study opportunities, support the organization’s commitment to create and maintain a diverse talent pipeline and reward tenured team members. These opportunities include:
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Student Programs
High School Level
Cristo Rey Dallas (Corporate Work Study Program) An innovative model that gives high school students an opportunity to earn hands-on work experience while receiving college-preparatory education. Interns are hosted throughout the academic year and support departments with projects and meaningful work.
Dallas, Richardson and Plano Mayor’s Summer Internships Children’s Health partners with three key DFW Mayor’s Office Summer Programs to provide high school students an opportunity to gain work experience in a corporate setting.
College Level
Undergraduate College Summer Internship A nine-week internship for undergraduate students in their junior or senior year of college. Interns gain a real-world view into a career in health care by supporting departments with relevant work and a process improvement projects.
Graduate College Summer Internship Along with recruiting interns from local DFW Universities, we partner with the American Hospital Association (AHA) Institute for Diversity and Health Equity Summer Enrichment Program. The AHA Institute’s Summer Enrichment Program places diverse graduate students pursuing advanced degrees in health care administration in a 10-week immersive internship.
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Adult Programs
Apprenticeships
U.S. Department of Labor Apprenticeships Children’s Health has partnered with Dallas College’s “You’re Hired” initiative and the U.S. Department of Labor to create registered apprenticeships for high-demand health care occupations. The one-year program offers a dynamic learning experience that combines on-the-job learning with related classroom instruction to prepare apprentices for positions at Children’s Health. Since creating this partnership, we have developed apprenticeship programs for two occupations, patient care technician and biomedical equipment technician.
Work Experience Academy
My Possibilities (Work Experience Academy) My Possibilities is a non-profit that provides vocational education, job placement and internships for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This partnership plays an important role in our strategy of being an inclusive organization by providing a talent pipeline of diverse individuals for Children’s Health. The seven-week internship program consists of four interns who will each partner with a current Children’s Health team member from the department to learn the necessary skills to perform specific tasks.
Our People Power Our Mission
For over 110 years, our mission has been clear – to make life better for children – and more than a century later, it continues to unite and inspire us. Our people continue to transform pediatric care by bringing our mission to life every day, in every interaction with patients and their families.
Are you interested in joining the Children’s Health team? Browse open job opportunities.
Current Children’s Health team members, please visit the Internal Career Center in Infor.
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Document 2022 People Report
Children’s Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against employees or applicants because of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, national origin, veteran or military status, disability, genetic information or any other Federal or State legally protected status or class. This applies to all aspects of the employer-employee relationship including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, promotion, transfer, pay, training, discipline, workforce adjustments, termination, employee benefits and any other employment-related activity.