Diversity is all the differences and similarities among us that affect how we live and work together, including race, ethnicity, primary language, age, size, gender and many other characteristics. When we understand and value these differences and similarities, it helps Fairview employees work together productively, helps Fairview caregivers meet the individual needs of patients and helps Fairview overall meet the needs of all the communities we serve.

Fairview’s Diversity Vision:

• Our communities will choose Fairview first as employer, health care provider and partner.
• We will inspire employee pride.
• We will improve the lives of those we touch because we understand, respect and leverage our differences.

Keys to Achieving our Vision

Leadership commitment is the driver of our diversity initiative. Fairview's system director of diversity works directly with leadership. Fairview’s CEO and numerous leaders set annual diversity goals, sponsor diversity events and continually further their personal learning and skills, while holding others accountable for doing the same.

Second, engaged employees bring our vision to life. Fairview's Diversity Council is a well-informed, passionate group of more than 35 diversity advocates who support our vision. As of September 2004, there were six site-based diversity teams to further diversity initiatives at local levels.

Finally, strategic focus allows us to leverage resources to achieve results. Fairview's diversity initiative, including the work of the council, focuses on three strategic areas:

• Culturally Competent Care: Measuring our current state by collecting primary language, race, ethnicity and spiritual belief information during the admission process and asking about cultural understanding and language access on our patient satisfaction surveys; advocating for actions based on the data; sponsoring cultural competence education; and translating patient information.
• Welcoming Environment: Advocating for and consulting on welcoming practices affecting patients, visitors and employees; example of work in this area includes welcoming audits, new employee orientation, diversity mentoring, welcoming signs and winter holiday commemorations.
• Workforce Diversity: Advocating for diversity in recruitment, retention, promotion, development and mentoring; sponsoring diversity education opportunities within Fairview.

Read more about equitable care at Fairview.