%0 Journal Article
%T Addressing structural racism using a whole-scale planning process in a single academic center
%J Health Equity
%D 2023
%A Higginbotham, Eve J.
%A Hertz, Kya
%A Fahl, Corrinne
%A Duckett, Dwaine B.
%A Mahoney, Kevin
%A Jameson, J. Larry
%V 7
%N 1
%P 487-496
%X PURPOSE: The murder of George Floyd in 2020 prompted a national demand for cultural transformation to confront the systemic racism prevalent in the country. Academic medical centers were not exempt from this urgent call. This article evaluates the efficacy of a strategic process in fostering cultural transformation within an academic medical system. <br><br>METHODS: A whole-scale strategic planning process was implemented over 13 months, involving multiple working groups representing key stakeholders from each entity across the system, an anonymous survey, a communication plan, and a balanced scorecard to monitor progress. More than 5500 voices, 160 recommendations, 122 data gathering sessions, and town hall meetings contributed to the creation and implementation of vital action items and a strategic framework. The Diversity Engagement Survey (DES) was administered 18 months following the process launch. <br><br>RESULTS: Of the 45,554 employees, students, faculty, and trainees, 96.5% completed unconscious bias education within the fiscal year and 76% of action items, termed "Just Do Its," were completed. Mission, vision, values, and strategic priorities were crafted to serve as a framework for intermediate and long-term actions. The DES revealed improvement in the "respect" attribute of an inclusive culture, and 64% of respondents confirmed that action for cultural transformation is addressing racism both within and outside of the institution. <br><br>CONCLUSION: Implementing a shared purpose, engaging multiple working groups representing key stakeholders, and empowerment of stakeholders to implement changes, in conjunction with the development of a strategic framework addressing structural racism, resulted in the completion of vital action items to initiate cultural change.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>
%G en
%I Mary Ann Liebert Publishers
%@ 2473-1242
%U http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/heq.2023.0093