Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Resources

Culture: The accepted, dynamic norms, practices, and ways of life of particular groups of people.

Diversity - is defined broadly and refers to the range of similarities and differences in individual and organization characteristics that shape our association. Some examples may be national origin, language, race, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic status, veteran status, and family structure. There are many more. The concept also encompasses other differences among people, including geographic differences and, importantly, diversity of thought and life experience.

Equity - is defined as fairness, and it ensures that everyone has the resources to succeed. It does not mean that everyone is the same or receives the same resources.

Inclusion - can be summed up as giving every individual a sense of belonging. It leverages diversity so that all individuals and groups are able to participate and contribute to their full potential.

Unconscious Bias - Unconscious biases are social stereotypes about certain groups of people that individuals form outside their own conscious awareness.

Webinar Recording:

Improving Equity in the Delivery of Health Care | Slides

On July 9, 2020, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued Executive Directive 2020-7, which requires the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs to promulgate administrative rules requiring all health care professionals to receive training on implicit bias and the way it affects the delivery of health care services. The rules are intended to establish implicit bias training standards as part of the knowledge and skills necessary for licensure, registration, and renewal of licenses and registrations of health professionals in Michigan. This webinar will provide an update on this initiative including stakeholder outreach efforts, content of the proposed rules, and remaining procedural steps prior to implementation.

Originally presented: February 2021

Presenter: Marlon Brown, Director, Policy & Legislative Affairs, Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs

Podcast Recordings:

Episode 47: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - Where are we now? Release date: November 9, 2021

Transcript: PDF

Sandy Greenberg and Marlon Brown talk about where regulatory organizations are with the diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. After providing some working definitions of DEI terminology, Sandy shares results from a recent survey of CLEAR stakeholders - asking where they rate DEI as a priority, what  prompted their interest in DEI, how they are responding to the issue, what obstacles they're experiencing   in implementing DEI-related initiatives, and what metrics they will use to measure success. Then, as a preview to topics at CLEAR's Winter Symposium, Marlon Brown shares some of the ongoing DEI initiatives, both internally and externally, at the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.

Episode 49: Organizational Transformation - Cultural Safety and Humility in Healthcare Release date: January 11, 2022

Transcript: PDF

The health regulatory colleges in British Columbia signed a declaration to cultural safety and humility with First Nations Health Authority partners, committing to strengthening relationships with Indigenous peoples and ensuring that culturally safe practices are embedded in the operations and proceedings of the colleges. Hear from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC about their journey of organizational   transformation and addressing Indigenous-specific racism in healthcare.

Heidi Oetter, Susan Prins, and Derek Puddester talk about education, diversified governance representation, a new standard of practice on cultural safety and humility, and a rebranding of the organization to reflect current values of Truth and Reconciliation. "We really recognize at this point that this is our problem to fix, not theirs........................................... Simply put: We must and we will respond to every single recommendation [from the 'In Plain Sight' report]."

History

In 2020, recognizing a need for further education and action related to diversity, equity and inclusion, CLEAR engaged consultant Chris McIntyre to provide training to CLEAR's Board of Directors, staff, and the stakeholder community about disrupting unconscious bias.  Dedicated training was provided to Board Members over three sessions in the late 2020 and early 2021, before Mr. McIntyre spoke at several CLEAR events, including giving the keynote presentation at CLEAR's 2021 Winter Symposium.  

Soon after, CLEAR agreed an Diversity, Equity and Inclusion statement and established a working group, consisting of Chair Staci Mason, and members Michael Carpenter, Tamara Richter, and Marc Spector.  The group's Charter directed initial work, to:

  • Define diversity, equity, and inclusion terminology for CLEAR and its membership
  • Support CLEAR stakeholders as they seek to remove bias and discrimination in the professional and occupational regulatory community
  • Provide advice and recommendations to the CLEAR Board of Directors, committees, and staff with respect to raising awareness of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the regulatory community
  • Assist in the development of diversity, equity and inclusion topics and related items of discussion for CLEAR’s educational programs, including, but not limited to, conferences and professional development offerings
  • Assist in helping CLEAR to build leadership opportunities for stakeholders including opportunities that foster greater diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The group met monthly and made progress in each of the areas above. Meanwhile, a stakeholder survey, focus group conversations and environmental scanning informed the development of CLEAR's 2022-24 strategic plan. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion was identified the single most important issue currently facing regulators and was embedded throughout the organization's new strategic plan.

Working group Chair Staci Mason frequently refers to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives as 'forever work' and responding to the opportunity to foster long-lasting change, in August 2022, CLEAR's Board of Directors approved a bylaws amendment (following comment from the membership) creating a standing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee.