The following lists some of Kaiser Permanente Colorado’s distinguishing diversity characteristics and accomplishments thus far:
Kaiser Permanente Colorado’s Diversity Development Department in
collaboration with the recently reorganized Regional Diversity Steering
Council, has developed a comprehensive Strategic Plan for Diversity that
will guide our diversity priorities in the coming years. Included, are
efforts to:
- provide care, and service to our patients and members
in a culturally sensitive and appropriate manner for
the purpose of affecting the elimination of health disparities
- create
a diverse workforce that mirrors the populations that
we serve, while furthering the development of linguistic
and cultural competence of each person
within the region
- fulfill applicable diversity requirements
and
guidelines, including mandatory
and voluntary governmental regulations
and/or accrediting body standards
- grow our membership
through effective market
segmentation approaches that target specific populations
which are the fastest growing segments
of our society
- improve the health of
and
enhance our ties to the communities we serve
The
Region’s, award-winning, Language Resource
Center has made significant strides to provide
interpretation and translation services to the region, helping
to close the linguistic , and cultural gap that many of our Limited
English Proficient patients , and members experience.
Forthcoming is the development of a Linguistic
, and Cultural Institute which will further advance the region’s
linguistic , and cultural competence.
The
Latino Center of Excellence in Culturally
Competent Care continues to focus on culturally informed
clinical practices to help reduce health disparities
among the Latino population, sharing
best practices with the region and program.
Kaiser Permanente
Colorado boasts the community and company outreach efforts
of our diversity councils , and multicultural
associations. To date, there are 12 established
facility diversity councils, the Regional Diversity
Steering Council, and 7 associations representing the
following populations:
- African-American
- Armenian
- Asian / Pacific Islander
- Latino
- Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender
and Intersex
- Native-American
- Persons with Disabilities
To
support our diversity and cultural competence efforts,
we offer training and educational opportunities to
our employees and physicians. Included is a core,
foundational, diversity training called “Let’s Talk Diversity”.
For our providers, we offer “Cultural Competence
in the Clinical Setting”. On a quarterly
basis, the region gathers for Regional
Diversity Forums; and annually the organization
sponsors the National Diversity Conference,
which celebrated its 27th anniversary in
2004.
To
address the lack of people of color in medical professions,
KP Colorado supports a “pipeline” of
talented interns from INROADS / Colorado
and Aruppe Jesuit High School.
In 2004,
KP Colorado was honored with the R.J. Erickson
Diversity Achievement Award for implemented
a Protégé of Color Executive
Mentoring Program. The program was the
region’s innovative approach to
address the shortage of People of Color in management positions
and positions of influence. Senior leadership
served in the roles of mentors, and the
protégés helped
to raise the cultural awareness of the leaders. The program was
an 18 month program. The first group had
extraordinary success by the completion
of the program. 16 Protégés
of Color were chosen, 11 of which broadened
the scope of their jobs, and of the 11,
8 eventually received promotions. The program is now in the midst
of the second round of Protégés
of Color, with an expanded number of participants.
These represent a sampling of the many diversity initiatives
underway in the Region, and are a source of considerable
organizational pride as we continually seek ways to create
a more inclusive workplace and clinical environments for
our work force and members.
This year, you will see the launch of additional innovative
diversity and culturally competent care initiatives, and
strategic business alignment of our diversity efforts
led by the Regional Diversity Steering Council, Diversity
Development Department, Language Resource Center, Latino
Center of Excellence in Culturally Competent Care, Facility
Diversity Councils and Multicultural Associations. These
efforts will extend Kaiser Permanente’s leadership
in diversity , and Cultural Competence throughout the
health care industry and positively differentiate us in
the market place.
The National Diversity Program is our programwide effort to advance our
National Diversity Agenda. The development of Diversity Program initiatives
is the shared responsibility of the National Diversity Council, the
National Diversity Department, regional and local diversity councils
and departments, and regional and local multicultural staff associations.
Kaiser Permanente serves one of the most culturally diverse
communities in the world. Our members speak more than
80 different languages and each language represents a
race, ethnicity, or culture with unique beliefs, values,
traditions, and behaviors. Our goal is to provide culturally
and linguistically appropriate care across the spectrum
of our diverse membership.
Our longstanding commitment to diversity includes both
the development of a diverse workforce and the delivery
of culturally competent care to our members.
Under the direction of our National Diversity Council, Kaiser
Permanente has played an important role in advancing culturally
competent care - health care that acknowledges cultural
diversity in the clinical setting, respects members' beliefs
and practices, and ensures that cultural needs are considered
and respected at every point of contact.
Through our Institute for Culturally Competent Care, Kaiser
Permanente has established "Centers of Excellence," innovative
clinical models that respond to the health needs of specific
populations. The San Francisco Center of Excellence provides
primary care in Spanish and Chinese, as well as onsite
services by interpreters proficient in other languages
and dialects.
A Center of Excellence focusing on the African-American
population has been established at our West Los Angeles
Medical Center. The Center focuses on the diagnosis, treatment,
and management of conditions prevalent among African Americans:
sickle cell disease, congestive heart failure, and prostate
cancer.
Similarly, we have established a Latino Center of Excellence
in the Colorado Region with a multipronged approach to
culturally competent care. La Clinica de la Familia provides
primary care through a bilingual family practice and addresses
the specific health needs of the region's Latino membership.
At the same time, we are committed to creating a workforce
with a high level of cultural sensitivity and the language
skills needed to help eliminate cultural barriers to communication.
The diversity of our workforce allows us to provide personalized
services to market segments such as women over 65, Latino
families, and Russian immigrants, meeting each member's
needs in a way that is valuable for them.
Our goal is to enhance the diversity of our workforce and
to provide culturally competent care and culturally appropriate
services to improve the health and satisfaction of our
membership. In order for Kaiser Permanente to be premiere
as an organization, we must embrace diversity -- to enhance,
celebrate, and learn from it. Our diversity is also our
strength.
