Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
DEI is at the very core of BHS’s mission and vision. We are focused on the pillars of DEI as a lens through which we examine everything we do, so we can advance health and wellness for everyone in our community.
What is Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion?
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are more than just words – they are a commitment to our patients, people, and community.
Diversity
The characteristics that make everyone unique. These might be seen, or they might not be.
Inclusion
The actions we take to understand what makes everyone unique, so everyone feels welcomed and valued.
Equity
Ensuring fair access, while eliminating systemic and individual barriers and privileges.
Our Approach
Our approach to creating long-term, systemic change in both our organization and our community is built on four foundational principles: data, relationships, education, and action. By relying on these building blocks to move our DEI strategy forward, we will advance health equity and improve overall quality of life for everyone in Berkshire County, now and for generations to come.
Data
We cannot understand the impact of our DEI work unless we are measuring and tracking the right data. We are adapting the data we collect across our system, as well as our method of collecting it, so this data can inform our DEI and community health goals.
Relationships
To truly advance the health and well-being of our region, we are looking beyond our system and working closely with community partners to address the social determinants that impact our patients’ health.
Education
As a health system, we have a breadth of knowledge. There is an opportunity use this knowledge to create meaningful education that build skills and cultural competencies for our internal team, while working with our partners in the community to improve the overall understanding of DEI across our region.
Action
We’ve formed a Health Equity Committee to determine how we can advance DEI within our system and across the community. Current focus areas for this committee include fostering a diverse workforce, breaking down barriers to care, and overhauling our data collection to give us a better understanding of the social factors and background characteristics that impact health outcomes.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
As the leading provider of healthcare and largest employer in Berkshire County, we are committed to caring for everyone in our community, both within and outside the walls of our facilities.
Learn About our Visual Identity
Our Graphic DEI Identity
We are taking steps to ensure that our values are not only apparent in our actions, but are also visible to our community through our graphic DEI identity, represented by a collection of textured fingerprints anchored by our health system brand logo. This graphic will appear on all BHS announcements and materials relating to our diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, and we hope that all who see it will stop to consider its meaning.
Every Journey is Unique
The lines, swoops, and whorls of each fingerprint combine to create a distinct mark that belongs to a single individual. A person’s fingerprints are their unique signature and make a unique mark on the world. Just as no two fingerprints are alike, no two journeys are the same. Every person we encounter carries their own experiences, ideas, feelings, and histories that inform their future thoughts and actions.
Every Person Has Value
A person’s fingerprint is an intimate physical manifestation of their identity. Our graphic asks the viewer to pause and appreciate the colors, textures, and designs of the fingerprint display. In taking the time to examine each print, we are called to celebrate the human dignity of every person in our community.
We Leave Powerful Imprints on Each Other’s Lives
Healthcare is a profoundly tangible profession—our caregivers can give comfort, relieve pain, and promote healing through their hands. Caregivers leave lasting impressions or fingerprints on their patients each and every day. Similarly, our patients also reach out and touch us with their stories and their needs. Though a fingerprint is usually invisible our graphic highlights physical nature of the relationship between caregivers and patients and reminds us that the imprint of how we treat each other can stay with us forever.
“I am driven by a desire to make a difference, care for others, and be the voice of the voiceless—from the frontlines of healthcare to the under-resourced neighborhoods in our community,” said Redd.
Redd has been engaged in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion work for more than ten years, first as part of the Black Employees Connecting resource group at Baystate Health and then as a leadership fellow with Partnership Inc. in Boston.
News & Events
Berkshire Health Systems announced its Community Code of Conduct, proudly joining health systems across the nation in adopting a commitment to creating safe care environments for staff, patients, and community members in September of 2023.
Our Community Code of Conduct is an important step in ensuring our care environments across the county are safe, welcoming places.
Berkshire Health Systems (BHS) offers paid training opportunities where you will learn valuable skills, earn certifications, and fast-track your progress toward a rewarding career in healthcare
