Diversity, Health Equity, and Inclusion

Health Equity Statement

Mt San Rafael Hospital and Clinics recognizes that our mission is to care for, support, and educate individuals and families affected by health conditions that diminish their quality of life. We acknowledge that individuals may experience discrimination in the healthcare system, which can adversely affect their health outcomes.

We recognize that both conscious and unconscious discrimination occur. Overt and conscious discrimination is not tolerated. Unconscious or unintentional discrimination needs to be identified, challenged, and addressed. We believe everyone has the right to be healthy and have access to the resources they need.

We strive to achieve the following commitments to our colleagues and our patients:

Goal 1: We do not discriminate based on age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture, language, physical or mental disability, socioeconomic status, sex, sexual orientation and gender identity or expression.

Goal 2: All patients receive the highest level of care possible delivered in a patient and family-friendly approach using evidence-based medicine.

Goal 3: We recognize racism, not race, as the cause for healthcare disparities and therefore will examine our healthcare treatment plans for bias.

Goal 4: We will track information on factors that create disparities as they relate to health outcomes to identify better how we may actively seek to eliminate such disparities in healthcare.

Goal 5: We intend to improve the diversity of our workforce to reflect the community we serve.

Goal 6: We commit to listen, learn, and seek to understand to create impactful and sustainable positive change.

Goal 7: We will recognize and reward practices that promote health equity.

Definition of health equity: The state in which everyone has a fair and just opportunity to attain their highest level of health. https://www.cdc.gov/healthequity/

While the terms equity and equality may sound similar, the implementation of one versus the other can lead to dramatically different outcomes for marginalized people: Equality means each individual or group of people is given the same resources or opportunities. Equity recognizes that each person has different circumstances and allocates the exact resources and opportunities needed to reach an equal outcome within the scope of care provided at Saint Vincent Hospital.

Under the stewardship of the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) committee, along with the entire hospital team, we will pursue an environment of fairness and justice for all patients and team members at Mt San Rafael Hospital and Clinics.