Congratulations to MultiCare Auburn Medical Center, the winner of the Auburn Area CONNECT 2020 SPOTLIGHT "Diversity & Equity-Centered Business of the Year" Award.
The Diversity & Equity-Centered Business of the Year SPOTLIGHT Award recognizes an Auburn Area business or agency that has made an impactful commitment to embrace diversity in their workplace, implement equity-centered partnerships, and create inclusive community connections.
The 2020 Diversity & Equity-Centered Business of the Year Award was sponsored by the City of Auburn.
The SPOTLIGHT Awards Program is an annual initiative of the Auburn Area CONNECT Chamber of Commerce that recognizes businesses, nonprofits and community leaders in the Auburn Area, who serve the community and, through their business products/services, employee programs, volunteerism and/or mission statement, benefit and improve the Auburn Area and help our region thrive as a center of economic activity and social leadership in the South Puget Sound. Members of the community are invited each year to nominate a deserving business, nonprofit or individual leader for our SPOTLIGHT recognition. Following the nomination period, Auburn Area CONNECT board members and members of the business community vote on the nomination they believe best represents the spirit of each award.
The Auburn Area CONNECT Chamber of Commerce is proud to recognize MultiCare Auburn Medical Center as our 2020 "Diversity & Equity-Centered Business of the Year" SPOTLIGHT Award Winner.
As a health-focused organization in our region, MultiCare has committed themselves to embracing diversity in their programs and policies, as well as their workforce, and providing culturally competent medical care. The hospital system is "committed to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the community," and employees receive annual training designed to "support and encourage an inclusive environment for health care delivery and customer service" (Read more).
For several years, the MultiCare Health System has focused on promoting and advancing "health equity" across our region. The MultiCare Center of Health Equity was developed to ensure that the system could meet the cultural, lingustic and spiritual needs of all patients and their families. In 2015, following a "Cultural Competency Organizational Assessment," MultiCare created their Health Equity Strategic Plan 2015-2020, identifying as key areas for improvement:
- Establishing a culturally proficient/sensitive and responsive workforce
- Recruiting, hiring and retaining a diverse workforce
- Connecting and engaging with our communities, especially communities of color, promoting inclusivity
- Increasing promotion and access to Interpreter Services across MultiCare for limited English proficiency (LEP), American Sign Language (ASL) and visually impaired patients. (Read more)
Additionally, MultiCare signed the #123forEquity Campaign to Eliminate Health Care Disparities, led by the American Hospital Association, in July 2015. (Click here to learn more about how MultiCare is focusing on health equity.)
Kacie Bray, Auburn Area CONNECT CEO, presented the 2020 "Diversity & Equity-Centered Business of the Year" SPOTLIGHT Award to the MultiCare Auburn Medical Center leadership team on Monday, October 26th.
Watch the award presentation video below:
We want to thank the whole team at MultiCare: hospital administrators, medical professionals and all staff members, who work hard to ensure that everyone in our community can access high-quality health care and the services they need to thrive.
We also want to thank the City of Auburn for sponsoring the 2020 "Diversity & Equity-Centered Business of the Year" SPOTLIGHT Award.
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Learn more about the Auburn MultiCare Medical Center at multicare.org/auburn-medical-center/.
