Implementing strategic organizational models leading to equity. 

LGBTQ+ Equality; Affinity Group and Networks; Inclusion Education and Training

As a healthcare system, RWJBarnabas Health (RWJBH) can best fulfill its mission with a diverse and vibrant workforce—one that respects, appreciates, and embraces the differences as well as the similarities that exist among us. One of the most exciting aspects of our journey to date has been the unwavering commitment and consistent incremental progress towards advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion strategies within our health system. The Corporate Office of Diversity and Inclusion, created in 2016, upon the RWJBH System formation.

We have several best practice models in our system, and several that have been instrumental in promoting a culture of diversity and inclusion among our employees.  First, our Business Resource Groups (BRGs) also known as affinity groups, or employee networks, are employee led groups that join together based on shared characteristics and/or life experiences. Collectively we have 36 BRGs in our system creating and building inclusive and welcoming environments for our employees, patients and communities.

Among other accomplishments, we are proud to say that eight RWJBH facilities have been recognized as “Leaders in LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality” by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, the educational arm of America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people. The distinguished honor of being selected as “Healthcare Equality Leaders” was based on an annual comprehensive assessment identifying health care institutions that are leaders in efforts to offer equitable care to LGBTQ+ patients by evaluating inclusive policies and practices related to LGBTQ+ patients, visitors and employees.

We became the first and only health system in New Jersey to launch the Babs Siperstein PROUD Center offering specialized primary care services to the LGBTQ+ community.  The services that are provided at the Center include the following; Comprehensive primary care, immunization, HIV prevention (PrEP & PEP), hormone therapy and monitoring, annual wellness exams, same-day sick visits and chronic illness management. Additionally, we provided cultural sensitivity training to our frontline staff and practitioners who care for our patients. To date, 90% of our employees trained on LGBTQ+ sensitivity. Furthermore, we implemented new fields in our registration process, asking one’s preferred name, sex assigned at birth, and current gender at the point of entry.  Lastly, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital and Saint Barnabas Medical Center are two System hospitals currently conducting gender affirming surgeries.