Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging
At Allina Health, diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging are fundamental to achieving our mission as a health care provider. We know that systemic racism, poverty and discrimination negatively impact the overall health and wellness of our communities. It is our responsibility to take action.
By respecting and understanding cultural differences, we enhance our ability to provide culturally sensitive care. Increasing cultural competence starts with understanding our own biases and shifting our approach when we interact with others who may be different from ourselves. This reduces the potential for physical, emotional or psychological harm to those who entrust us with their care.
Our accountability to our community
This is who we are accountable to: Patients, employees and people who live in the communities we serve—of all races, ethnicities, gender identities, sexualities, abilities and economic means.
What diversity, equity, inclusion & belonging mean to us
- Diversity: Embracing and investing in our differences to create a better us.
- Inclusion: Cultivating a safe environment where everyone can always bring their whole self, contribute and thrive.
- Equity: Providing access to opportunities that support our communities’ ability to reach its full potential. Creating solutions, informed by an understanding of unique needs, that eliminate barriers to success and fill in opportunity gaps.
- Health Equity: “Everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible. This requires removing obstacles to health such as poverty, discrimination and their consequences, including powerlessness and lack of access to good jobs with fair pay, quality education and housing, safe environments and health care.” – Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
A responsibility. An opportunity.
Advancing diversity, equity, inclusion & belonging is our responsibility. But it’s also an opportunity. To promote respect and understanding. To eliminate barriers that prevent people from living their fullest lives. To heal the injuries caused by systemic inequality. To improve the health of our communities.
Our goal
Improve the health of all people in our communities by using the collective strength of Allina Health as a care provider, employer, purchaser and community partner to eliminate systemic inequities and racism.
Building a diversity, equity, inclusion & belonging structure at Allina Health
To make real and lasting progress, we must make diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging a part of what we do across our organization. We are doing that with a dedicated team that has direct accountability to leadership and our communities. Our internal structure includes:
- A diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging council led by our CEO
- An operations committee that includes representatives from teams such as human resources, supply chain, community partnerships and more
- Employee resource groups that empower employees at every level to become advocates