Now scheduling COVID-19 vaccine appointments for ages 12+
We firmly believe in treating all people with dignity and respect, which is one of CNE’s core values. Diversity refers to all differences between people. This includes, but is not limited to: gender, race, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religious beliefs or spirituality, national origin, ethnicity, physical ability, cognitive ability, medical condition or reproductive and behavioral health.
We further believe in treating such individuals with dignity and respect regardless of their geographic or socioeconomic background, political affiliation, culture, title and practice area, communication and learning style, or any other real or perceived differences.
The Supreme Court has recently issued several decisions with far-reaching implications. The Court handed down a consequential ruling that curtails the use of race-conscious admissions programs in institutions of higher education and on June 30, 2023, the Court ruled in favor of a business's right to refuse service to a protected class on First Amendment grounds, effectively widening the doors of discrimination.
These decisions are fundamentally at odds with Care New England’s values. Our ability to cultivate a talent pipeline reflective of the vibrant communities we serve is essential to the delivery of excellent healthcare. Our commitment to our diverse teams and communities is unwavering. We will continue to do everything possible to foster a fair, inclusive and diverse environment, and to champion diversity and inclusivity in every aspect of our organization and our work. Our dedication to providing compassionate and equitable care to all remains resolute.
We have established an environment that puts diversity, equity and inclusion at the center of our work, and informs how we both approach and treat all our patients and families. From regular review of best practices and models of care, to leveraging consistent feedback and input from our patients and staff, Care New England prioritizes the highest quality of care and with the utmost level of dignity and respect for all of our patients—regardless of who they are, or where they live.
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See our DEI Signature Presentation.
Our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council’s have been established at each one of our operating units with the goal of creating safe spaces for employees to exchange ideas and address concerns to improve both employee and patient outcomes centered around diversity, equity, and inclusionary practices. These councils work to establish a framework of activity for their participants that center around addressing equitable solutions that reach across a broad spectrum of activities in order to make an impact.
Each council relies on it’s members participation of thoughtful dialogue and meaningful takeaways to create long lasting change for next and best practices within the organization and the communities we serve, implemented through regular meetings, continuous conversations, and meaningful interactions with leadership in order to create change.
Care New England has 8 DEI Councils - each with 4 areas of focus.
Identification of possible training and professional development opportunities for staff.
Identification of opportunities for events and collaborations with community-based organizations (CBOs), businesses, educational institutions, and other OUs across CNE.
Regular review, identification, and implementation of hospital policies and procedures with an intentional focus on eliminating systemic barriers to provide fair and equitable care and experiences for all patients.
Meeting spot to share ideas, to grapple with current events, and also plan events and occasions (both internal and in the public).
Unconscious bias trainings have been implemented across Care New England and are available to all staff. These trainings help us understand and recognize the ways in which unconscious bias manifests itself in the workplace and beyond. These trainings are eligible for continuing education credits.
Care New England celebrated International Women's Day by bringing our four women presidents to the forefront. We heard from each of them as they discussed leadership, gender bias at work, mentorship, and work-life balance. As an organization we made the pledge to #ChooseToChallenge inequality, stereotypes, and gender biases!
Many children in our community don’t have the clothing they need to feel confident and ready to learn at school. Research shows that many children that go to school without adequate clothing and shoes experience low self-esteem, poor social skills, and lack of concentration in school. Care New England has partnered with Clothes to Kids RI (a 501c3 non-profit) to collect gently used clothing for Providence county K-12 students in need.
Chief Diversity Officer of Care New England
Dr. Martins is a strategic leader with more than 15 years of progressive experience in higher education. Before joining Care New England, Martins was the associate Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Bryant University. At Bryant University, Martins also served as Chair of the President’s Council for Inclusive Excellence.
Martins earned his Bachelor's and Master of Science in Business Administration from the University of Rhode Island. He earned his Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from Johnson & Wales University.
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