Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health is committed to caring for everyone in our community, and to ensuring fair and equitable access to the care we provide. This is one of the most important challenges we face. We must be very purposeful in addressing disparities and biases that affect our workforce, our patients and the community.
I often think about my experiences living and working in New Orleans, which was forever changed by the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Even years after the disaster, residents in economically disadvantaged communities continued to face tremendous challenges in accessing necessary care. More recently, during the pandemic, we all came to truly understand how limited access can impact not just individuals and families but entire communities.
In order to provide the best possible care to all of our neighbors, we must recognize their rich history, customs, traditions and unique needs. We must improve access for everyone in our community by meeting patients where they are. Most often the issue is not that our patients don’t value health care; in many cases, they simply lack the ability to easily access our services.
At LG Health, we are very fortunate to have a dedicated Diversity & Inclusion Committee and many others who are passionate about this work. We as individuals can help advance diversity, equity and inclusion by acknowledging and making a personal commitment to overcoming our own biases. We can move forward together with a willingness to try new things, a desire to get better, and compassionate empathy for others when a genuine attempt to be more inclusive misses the mark.
During my time in New Orleans, I recall using the term “minorities” during a conversation with a diverse group. While I certainly didn’t mean it in a negative way, they pointed out that they took offense at my use of the term. This is an example of how our unintended biases can influence the way we perceive the world, and it was very eye-opening for me.
I am always grateful when someone has the courage to make me aware of how I can do better and feels comfortable enough to bring it to my attention. In this case, it led to an open, honest conversation that had a lasting impact on me as a person and a leader. As I learned personally, we should not expect perfection of ourselves or others but instead should strive for continuous improvement.
Thank you for your support in helping LG Health create a workplace – and a community – that values diversity, acceptance and respect for all.