Oct. 17, 2008
On Wednesday, Oct. 29, UPMC will introduce the Center for Inclusion in Health Care to the community and to UPMC employees. In anticipation of the center’s launch, Extra! sat down with Candi Castleberry-Singleton, chief inclusion and diversity officer of UPMC, to find out more about this endeavor.
What is the UPMC Center for Inclusion in Health Care?
The center was developed to be a resource center for employees,
residents, and business partners in the communities where we live and work. It will promote workforce development and health careers,
champion an inclusive workplace that supports collaboration and team building, and provide information that will encourage healthy lifestyles.
Inclusion is a new concept for many people. How is inclusion different from diversity?
Inclusion is a strategy. Diversity is a result of inclusion. When a company has a sole focus on diversity recruitment rather than creating an environment where employees want to work, it can create a revolving door. Those employees who are willing to stick around, can be disengaged.
Inclusion is about creating an environment where all employees are treated with dignity
and respect, and feel they can develop and grow. What employee doesn’t want that? So you see, every employee, regardless of his or her role in the organization or background, can benefit from inclusion.
What can employees expect to receive from the center?
Information. Guidance. Assistance. With a focus on serving our employees and communities, the Center for Inclusion in Health Care will help provide a better understanding of UPMC programs, as well as the organizations that UPMC partners with to make a difference in
our community.
There’s a lot of buzz around the phrase “imagine inclusion.” What does that mean?
Since inclusion is a new concept to many people, this first year we are encouraging employees to imagine what inclusion can mean for UPMC. Next year, we’ll focus on experiencing
the impact that inclusion can have on all of us.
Hitting the road…
Want to learn more about the Center for Inclusion in Health Care? Beginning in January, Mrs. Castleberry-Singleton and her team will be making their way to every UPMC facility to meet with employees and explain how the center can serve them. For more information about the center and to find out when they’ll be at your facility, visit inclusion.infonet.upmc.com/.