WINSTON-SALEM, N.C., Oct. 4, 2022 – For the fourth consecutive year, Novant Health was named a 2022 recipient of Diversity Impact Awards by the Association of Employee Resource Groups (ERG) & Councils. The Diversity Impact Awards — which were announced at a ceremony Sept. 23 – honor ERGs, diversity councils and other people who lead and support diversity and inclusion efforts within their organizations. Along with Novant Health’s recognized business resource groups (BRGs), the late Ophelia Garmon-Brown, MD, M.Div., a former Novant Health family physician, was honored with the Executive Sponsor of the Year Award for her inspiring work as the Novant Health Coexist BRG executive sponsor.
“Diversity, inclusion and equity are core values at Novant Health, and we are honored to receive recognition for the work we continue daily to support inclusion and belonging for our talented and diverse team,” said Carmen Canales, senior vice president, chief people and belonging officer at Novant Health.
Novant Health has 14 BRGs, voluntary groups of team members organized around an aspect of common identity such as religion, gender, veteran status, race, disabilities and more. Membership is open to all team members, regardless of if they self-identify around the common identity. BRG members help create a welcoming, inclusive environment where team members work, belong, receive and provide care.
Out of the 14 BRGs at Novant Health, four were honored with the 2022 Top 25 ERG Award.
- Black/African American BRG recognized for providing resources each month focusing on a different core area of wellness to support team members’ holistic well-being. These tools were specific to unique experiences in the Black and African American communities and a part of the BRG’s overall “Dimensions of Wellness” initiative.
- Coexist BRG recognized for creating Coexist 101, a webinar series that featured holidays from different faith traditions. Each webinar reserved time for questions, which offered a safe space for team members to learn more about these traditions and how they can best care for patients and families who identify with them.
- Native American BRG recognized for educating our team members on the Native American population in North Carolina. This included a presentation on Indigenous People’s Day and an expanded celebration of Native American Heritage Month.
- Persons with Disabilities BRG recognized for an innovative, inclusive campaign called “You Matter. You Count.” that encouraged team members to self-identify as having a disability or not. This is one more way we are creating a safe environment that normalizes and celebrates disability as a dimension of diversity.
For the third straight year, a Novant Health leader received the Executive Sponsor of the Year Award. Dr. Ophelia Garmon-Brown was honored posthumously for her work as the Coexist BRG executive sponsor.
“Dr. Ophelia Garmon-Brown was instrumental in fostering personal and professional growth by encouraging each BRG member to share their voice,” Canales said. “Since the Coexist BRG was founded, Dr. Garmon-Brown advocated for its work, resources and benefits to both Novant Health and our community partners. Her legacy will live on in all Novant Health BRGs for years to come.”
Learn more about Novant Health’s diversity, inclusion and equity efforts.
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