Overview
Nemours Children's is committed to the health and well-being of all our children, families and associates. The Nemours Office of Health Equity and Inclusion creates an environment where iversity, anti-acism, nclusion, alue and ealth quity (D.R.I.V.E.) are at the center of all we do for our children, families and associates.
D.R.I.V.E. Purpose Statement
To create an environment of inclusive excellence valuing all associates and empowering them to address racism, health equity and social justice to create the healthiest generations of children.
About Us
The department serves several functions within Nemours.
Child and Family Impact
Ensure that our interactions and care with our patients and families are respectful of all backgrounds and experiences. Learn more about our:
Research and National Prominence
Conduct research focused on health disparities and share best practices to improve the care of all children. Learn more about our:
Community Engagement and Health
Increase associate involvement in our communities, and to generate and maintain partnerships that help address preventive measures and Social Determinants of Health (SDoH). Learn more about our:
Policies, Processes and Culture
Ensure Nemours policies, practices and culture align with the vision of D.R.I.V.E. and review where potential updates may be needed.
Pipeline, Recruitment and Onboarding
Expand pipeline efforts to develop underrepresented candidates for careers in health care and increase the diversity of the candidate pool for leadership positions. Learn more about our:
Education, Development and Programming
Work to include diversity, inclusion, health equity and anti-racism in associate education. Learn more about our:
Associate Engagement and Retention
Drive improved associate engagement and retention by building a culture of inclusion and belonging.
Marketing and Communication
Educate patients, families and associates about how our work will impact the health of our communities.
Research
At Nemours, health disparities science research starts primarily from the Nemours Office of Health Equity and Inclusion. Research activities involve quality, workforce diversity, community engagement, cultural/linguistic competencies and specific health and health care outcomes.
In assessing health care processes and outcomes as related to health disparities indicators, we collaborate with several departments and divisions across Nemours, including Nemours Health & Prevention Services (NHPS), orthopedics, hematology and oncology, trauma and the Emergency Department (ED).
We present our work at national and international scientific conferences including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Public Health Association, the Society of Epidemiological Research and many more.
Research is conducted in part by the work of our Translational Health Disparities Research Program — Undergraduate and Graduate Internships and Fellowships.
Current Projects
Oral Publications
Current Presentations
America's Best Employers for Diversity
As the topic of diversity and inclusion has gained greater importance in the business world, Forbes added it to its reporting coverage. In 2018, they partnered with the market research firm Statista to create an annual list of the Best Employers for Diversity.
The ranking is compiled by surveying 60,000 Americans working for businesses with at least 1,000 employees.
Learn More
Disparities Leadership Program — Best Project
The Disparities Leadership Program (DLP) is a year-long, hands-on executive education program focused exclusively on helping health care leaders achieve equity in quality.
The program is designed to help translate the latest understanding of disparities into realistic solutions organizations can adopt. With 13 years of experience developing and implementing the DLP, it's the only program of its kind in the nation.
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The Human Right Campaign — Healthcare Equality Index
The Healthcare Equality Index (HEI) is the national benchmarking tool that evaluates health care facilities' policies and practices related to the equity and inclusion of their LGBTQ patients, visitors and employees. The HEI evaluates more than 1,700 health care facilities nationwide.
Every year, they recognize the health care facilities that participate in the HEI for their dedication and commitment to LGBTQ inclusion.
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Delaware Healthy Mother & Infant Consortium — Health Equity
This award recognizes the individuals and organizations that work hard for the well-being of mothers and children in Delaware, for the health of community and for health equity.
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Why Diversity and Inclusion Matters
Diversity in the workplace means associates have different characteristics and backgrounds, which in turn means they are more likely to have different skills and experiences. Inclusion in the workplace means an environment where all individuals are treated equitably and respectfully, have access to opportunities and resources, and can contribute fully to the organization’s success.
Having a diverse and inclusive workforce increases associate retention and satisfaction. In the health care setting it ensures that no matter who walks through our doors, there is someone on staff who can identify with them, communicate with them, and better serve their individual needs. Diversity can also lead to more creative problem solving during an emergency and even routine patient care.
In essence, diversity and inclusion create stronger organizations where all associates feel a sense of purpose and connection, leading to a better patient experience and improved health outcomes for our patients and families.
Diversity & Inclusion Education
We offer many educational opportunities to associates to create a culture of diversity and inclusion, including:
- Cultural Competence and Humility — teaches associates to understand, communicate and effectively interact with people across different cultures
- Belonging at Work — based on the book “Belonging at Work” by Rhodes Perry, this training gives associates the tools to help cultivate a sense of belonging necessary to build an inclusive organization
- Ouch! That Stereotype Hurts — discusses how words matter and how associates can speak up when they are the "target" of stereotyping comments
- Cultural Competence for Orthodox-Jewish Patients — helps associates understand aspects of Jewish life and feel more comfortable and secure in fulfilling Orthodox-Jewish patients' health needs and wants
- Safe Space — Q&A session about supporting LGBTQ patients, families and associates, presented by the Nemours Gender and Wellness Program
- Understanding the Plain Communities — provides a brief history of the Plain community and insight into their cultural beliefs related to education, family, religion and health care, presented by the Clinic for Special Children
- Grand Rounds — covers a range of topics during patient care, like:
- First Do No Harm: Addressing Bias as a Health Care Provider
- How Did We Get Here? A Brief History of Racist Ideas
- Racism and Inequity in Health Care in the Time of COVID-19 and #BLM
- Race, Racism and Health
- Advancing Health Equity Through the Lens of Food Insecurity
- We Have Started the Conversation About Diversity, Equity and Inclusion — What Comes Next?
- Racial Healing Series — educates and validates personal experiences while providing tips on how to manage increased stress
Associate Resource Groups (ARGs)
African Heritage Associate Resource Group
Mission: To impact and enhance optimal patient care services and associate relationships by providing an inclusive experience and valued understanding from a diverse cultural perspective.
Adelante — Latinx/Hispanic Associate Resource Group
Mission: To create a diverse and culturally competent environment where all associates feel they have a voice, and where the Latino/Hispanic families we serve feel their needs are being met.
Caregivers Associate Resource Group
Mission: To give Nemours associates a place to meet and share self-care resources, provide support, and develop strategies to help understand and alleviate the stressors of caregiving. As we share the journey of our own caregiving and our tips and strategies for helping ourselves, we hope to help others in their caregiving journey.
Pride Associate Resource Group
Mission: To network with other associates who identify as LGBTQIA, improve patient care for this group of patients and to have fun.
Women@Work Associate Resource Group
Mission: To increase the pathways to leadership, provide professional development, and engage in networking and community engagement.
Email us to learn more: DRIVE@nemours.org.
Helping Kids Embrace Diversity
Learn how you can help your child recognize and deal with biases at home, at school and elsewhere.
Anti-Racism Statement
Nemours is committed to cultivating a strong foundation of inclusive excellence and cultural proficiency.
Learn More
Translational Health Disparities Research Program
Undergraduate and Graduate Internship and Fellowship Opportunities
Undergraduate Internships
Health Equity Summer Scholars Program (HESSP)
This program provides an opportunity for undergraduates to gain research knowledge and skills in areas related to pediatric health disparities science.
The core component of this program includes an in-depth understanding of problems and issues confronting pediatric health and health care. Specifically, the research training and education embraces study design, conduct (sampling, intervention and data collection), data analysis, results interpretation, discussion and inference.
The program includes in-depth lectures and activities on health care delivery science and epigenomics. It also involves presentations from experts and specialists in different health care fields such as nursing, surgery and health care informatics.
Program dates: June 6–August 12, 2022 (10 weeks)
Dates vary annually.
Stipend amount: $5,000
Application dates: November–January
Dates vary annually.
This program is virtual, however conditions permitting, programs will be held on-site in Wilmington, Del. Housing is provided for those living outside a 50-mile radius of the site.
Masters/Doctoral Fellowship Program
The Master's/Doctoral Fellowship Program provides an opportunity for graduates of Public Health or other related fields, or doctoral students who have completed their qualifying exams, to acquire research knowledge and skills in areas related to pediatric health disparities science.
The core component of this program includes applying advanced epidemiologic methods in the understanding of the cause and subsequent development of pediatric health disparities.
Fellows mentor the HESSP intern students as they complete their research project. Each fellow will have the opportunity to transform their mentees' projects to publishable manuscripts and gain experience in the submission process.
Fellows may also engage in other activities such as attending conferences and other training opportunities, including those offered to the HESSP interns.
Program dates: May 16–November 25, 2022 (6 months)
Dates vary annually.
Stipend amount: $16,000
Application dates: November–January
Dates vary annually.
This program is virtual, however conditions permitting, programs will be held on-site in Wilmington, Del. Housing is provided for those living outside a 50-mile radius of the site.
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