Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/665044
48 15 Hospital, Health System Chief Diversity Officers to Know By Kelly Gooch A s hospitals and health systems work to strengthen their approach to diversity and inclusion, they are creating more chief diversity officer positions. According to a recent study from executive search firm Witt/Kieffer, 58 percent of CEOs, 64 percent of chief human resources officers and 50 percent of chief diversity officers agree or strongly agree that the number and prominence of chief diversity officers in healthcare organiza- tions has improved over the past five years. "e role of a [chief diversity officer] now, more than ever, requires strong communi- cation and negotiation skills, in addition to being comfortable with engaging in uncom- fortable conversations," Oliver Tomlin, a board member and senior partner in Witt/Kieffer's healthcare and education practices, said in a prepared statement. Mr. Tomlin adds, "[Chief diversity officers] are becoming more purposeful and impact- ful in cultivating diversity and inclusion in the workplace and they play a crucial role in recruiting, retaining and developing diverse healthcare leaders." When looking for these chief diversity officers, hospitals and health systems look for candidates from broader backgrounds within healthcare as well as candidates from outside the industry. Here are 15 chief diversity officers to know at hospitals and health systems throughout the U.S., presented alphabetically. Note: Chief diversity officers were selected based on editorial judgment and discretion. Individu- als did not pay for inclusion on this list. David Acosta, MD, Associate Vice Chancellor of Diversity and Inclusion, UC Davis Health System (Sacramento, Calif.). Dr. Acosta, a family practice physician, leads diversity activities throughout UC Davis Health System, which includes the UC Davis School of Medicine, the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing, UC Davis Medical Center and the physician practice group. Prior to UC Davis Health System, Dr. Acosta was chief diversity officer at the University of Wash- ington School of Medicine in Seattle. During his tenure there, he established a rural health fellowship program for Tacoma Family Med- icine, an affiliated residency program at UW's School of Medicine and a National Institutes of Health-funded Center for Cultural Profi- ciency in Medical Education at Washington. He also co-authored a diversity strategic plan and founded the Center for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at UW's School of Medicine. Dr. Acosta earned his medical degree from the University of California, Irvine, College of Medicine. Outside of UC Davis Health System, Dr. Acosta is a member of various organi- zations, including the American Academy of Family Physicians, the National Hispanic Medical Association, the National Alliance for Hispanic Health and the National Association for Rural Medical Educators. Additionally, he serves on several committees at the Association of American Medical Colleges. Kevin Antoine, Assistant Vice Presi- dent and Chief Diversity Officer of State University of New York Down- state Medical Center (Brooklyn, N.Y.). In his role, Mr. Antoine oversees SUNY Downstate's hiring practices, employ- ment policies, compliance with federal, state and university non-discrimination laws and polices, and workforce cultural competency training. He serves as chairman of the Univer- sity of Brooklyn Hospital's Cultural Compe- tency Committee. He is also a member of the American Association for Access Diversity and Inclusion, serves on its board of directors and serves as its national legislative director. A former Harvard University Administrative Fellow, he has a law degree from Williams- burg, Va.-based College of William and Mary, and a graduate certificate in organizational change from Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y. Elizabeth Appling, Chief Diversity Officer, Erlanger Health System (Chat- tanooga, Tenn.). As chief diversity officer at Erlanger, Ms. Appling provides leadership and oversight "in efforts to create and sustain a respectful and inclusive culture," according to the health system. Prior to her current role, she was employee relations representative for Erlanger. She is a member of various organi- zations, including the Institute For Diversity in Health Management and the Tennessee Hospital Association, where she served on the diversity committee. She earned a master's degree in business administration from McK- enzie, Tenn.-based Bethel College and is a graduate of the 2012-13 disparities leadership program at Boston-based Massachusetts Gen- eral Hospital's Disparities Solutions Center. Tanya Blackmon, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Novant Health (Win- ston, Salem, N.C.). Ms. Blackmon is respon- sible for overseeing diversity and inclusion ef- forts for Novant Health. Prior to her current role, she held various other positions with Novant Health, including director of inpatient discharge planning, director of clinical improvement and community care services, and COO of Novant Health Charlotte (N.C.) Orthopedic Hospital. Most recently, she was president of Novant Health Huntersville (N.C.) Medical Center. Ms. Blackmon earned a master's degree in business administration from Queens University in Char- lotte, N.C., and a Master of Social Work from the University of South Carolina in Columbia. Ronald Copeland, MD, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Kaiser Perma- nente (Oakland, Calif.). Dr. Copeland was named to his position in 2012. Dr. Cope- land was previously president and executive medical director of Ohio Permanente Medical Group in Cleveland. He earned his medical degree from the University of Cincinnati Med- ical College and completed his residency in general surgery at the State University of New York Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse. Ricardo Forbes, Corporate Vice Presi- dent and Chief Diversity Officer, Baptist Health South Florida (Coral Gables). Mr. Forbes was named to his role in 2009. As corpo- rate vice president and chief diversity officer, he is responsible for developing the strategy for di- versity and inclusion programs at Baptist Health. Before then, Mr. Forbes was vice president of its affiliated Miami-based Baptist Hospital. Previ- ously, he was administrative director at North Miami Beach, Fla.-based Parkway Regional Med- ical Center, which was acquired by Miami-based Jackson Health System from Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare Corp. and is now known as Jackson North Medical Center. He also previously served as an administrator at Miami-based Jackson Me- morial Hospital and administrator of University of Miami Hospital and clinic. Mr. Forbes earned a master's degree in public health administration from New York University in New York City. Cristy Garcia-Thomas, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Aurora Health Care (Milwaukee). Named to her role in 2014, Ms. Garcia-omas is the first chief diversity and inclusion officer for Aurora Health Care. Additionally, Ms. Garcia-omas serves as president of the Aurora Health Care Foundation. Prior to Aurora, she was presi- dent of the United Performing Arts Fund, a Milwaukee-based nonprofit organization that