Diversity, Inclusion & Community Engagement
At Jefferson, we are reimagining diversity and inclusion to promote and cultivate an inclusive environment that celebrates the diversity of our patients, families, students, workforce, and the communities we serve. We believe that a diverse and inclusive environment is fundamental to our mission for the advancement of education and health and the achievement of health equity. We recognize and respect the rich diversity of our enterprise and are committed to intentional programming focused on creating an environment of belonging for all people regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender identity, gender expression or sexual orientation.
At Jefferson, we use the following definitions:
- Diversity – the richness of human similarities and differences that make up One Jefferson Family.
- Inclusion – the ability to provide outstanding health care to all people and all communities while giving everyone voice and the opportunity to be valued, respected and supported.
- Equity – choosing to provide fairness in the way people are treated when seeking healthcare services, employment, development and community engagement.
Ensuring Culturally Competent Care
The Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Community Engagement is responsible for ensuring the social, cultural and linguistic needs in the care we provide to the diverse communities we serve.
This includes ensuring compliance with all laws, regulations and mandates to provide medically qualified interpreters for Limited English Proficient (LEP) patients and their families, as well as ASL interpreters for deaf patients and family members.
In an effort to improve health outcomes and quality of care while also increasing patient safety and satisfaction, the Enterprise Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Community Engagement hosts cultural competency training sessions to enhance the ability of hospital staff and students to deliver health care effectively.
Diversity, Inclusion and Community Engagement Blueprint for Action
Strategic Focus
Jefferson's approach to diversity and inclusion includes a strategy that ensures that the composition of our faculty, staff and students reflects the communities we serve, while it focuses on improving health outcomes by training physicians, nurses and staff to provide culturally appropriate care.
Workplace Inclusion
Promoting an inclusive environment where everyone feels respected, valued and supported.
Workplace Diversity
Recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce that mirror the communities we serve.
Cultural Competency
Developing culturally competent healthcare leaders of tomorrow to ensure health equity.
Student Diversity
Recruiting and retaining a diverse student body that reflects our global community.
Community Engagement
Improving community health by creating partnerships and collaborations in the communities we serve.
Health Equity Pledge
Jefferson took the #123 for Equity Pledge to Act to take action on the American Hospital Association's (AHA’s) National Call to Action to Eliminate Health Care Disparities’ goals to ensure that quality and equitable health care is delivered to all persons.
The AHA launched the #123 for Equity Pledge to Act Campaign in July 2015, building upon the National Call to Action to Eliminate Health Care Disparities. The pledge urges hospital and health system leaders to continue to develop and implement strategies to increase the collection and use of race, ethnicity and language preference and sociodemographic data; advance cultural competency training; and increase diversity in leadership and governance. In addition, a fourth goal has been added to improve and strengthen community capacity.
To accelerate progress toward eliminating health disparities, increasing quality of care and advancing
diversity and inclusion in health care, all hospitals are being called on to make these efforts a priority.
LGBTQ Healthcare Equality Top Performer
In its 13th year, the Healthcare Equality Index (HEI) is the national LGBTQ benchmarking tool that evaluates healthcare facilities' policies and practices related to the equity and inclusion of their LGBTQ patients, visitors and employees. The HEI 2020 evaluates more than 1,700 healthcare facilities nationwide.
2021 Top Hospital
Jefferson is are proud to be on @DiversityInc’s 2021 Top Hospitals list for Diversity list! Based on data in these six key areas: Leadership Accountability, Human Capital Diversity Metrics, Talent Programs, Workforce Practices, Supplier Diversity and Philanthropy.
Diversity & Inclusion at Sidney Kimmel Medical College
Contact Us
For more information about our programs, or if you have any questions, please email EnterpriseDiversity@Jefferson.edu