Integration and Advancement of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Within a Health-System Pharmacy Department
by Julia G. Gilbertson, PharmD, Rachel K. Russ, PharmD, Grace A. Nixon, BS, 2023 PharmD Candidate, Ellina S. Seckel, PharmD, BCACP, DPLA, Andrew J. Wilcox, PharmD, DPLA
Objective: To design a sustainable and effective model for integrating and advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within a health-system pharmacy department.
Methods: Frontline staff and leadership were engaged to design an effective model for improving DEI. Extensive background research and employee focus groups informed the creation of departmental goals and proposed DEI initiatives for implementation. A DEI steering team was established to systematically develop DEI recommendations aligned with departmental goals, which were then modified based upon findings from a department climate assessment survey. Recommendations were sent to pharmacy staff to provide comments for changes and were refined based upon feedback. Final recommendations were prioritized and assigned to department managers, who collaborated with frontline staff to operationalize initiatives. An initiative tracker was created to organize planned initiatives, goals, and action steps.
Results: Three overarching DEI goals for the pharmacy department were identified: increase equitable opportunities for diverse representation in the pharmacy workforce; foster self-development and self-awareness to contribute to a culture of inclusion; and make changes to pharmacy systems, policies, and procedures for sustainable advancement of DEI. The DEI steering team developed a total of 53 recommendations aligning with these goals, 31 of which were prioritized to implement first by pharmacy managers and frontline staff.
Conclusions: The use of a highly collaborative, team-based approach was successful in identifying actionable opportunities for integration and advancement of DEI within the pharmacy department. Outcomes have yet to be determined and will require sustainable implementation strategies to create positive and meaningful change.
Keywords: Leadership, Goals, Work Engagement, Feedback, DEI, Focus Groups, Pharmacists, Students, Pharmacy, Attitude, Emotions
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2023 March/April Table of Contents
Objective: To design a sustainable and effective model for integrating and advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within a health-system pharmacy department.
Methods: Frontline staff and leadership were engaged to design an effective model for improving DEI. Extensive background research and employee focus groups informed the creation of departmental goals and proposed DEI initiatives for implementation. A DEI steering team was established to systematically develop DEI recommendations aligned with departmental goals, which were then modified based upon findings from a department climate assessment survey. Recommendations were sent to pharmacy staff to provide comments for changes and were refined based upon feedback. Final recommendations were prioritized and assigned to department managers, who collaborated with frontline staff to operationalize initiatives. An initiative tracker was created to organize planned initiatives, goals, and action steps.
Results: Three overarching DEI goals for the pharmacy department were identified: increase equitable opportunities for diverse representation in the pharmacy workforce; foster self-development and self-awareness to contribute to a culture of inclusion; and make changes to pharmacy systems, policies, and procedures for sustainable advancement of DEI. The DEI steering team developed a total of 53 recommendations aligning with these goals, 31 of which were prioritized to implement first by pharmacy managers and frontline staff.
Conclusions: The use of a highly collaborative, team-based approach was successful in identifying actionable opportunities for integration and advancement of DEI within the pharmacy department. Outcomes have yet to be determined and will require sustainable implementation strategies to create positive and meaningful change.
Keywords: Leadership, Goals, Work Engagement, Feedback, DEI, Focus Groups, Pharmacists, Students, Pharmacy, Attitude, Emotions
Download PDF
2023 March/April Table of Contents