Diversity & inclusion
At Kaiser Permanente, we value the rich diversity of our organization and aspire always to demonstrate respect for the uniqueness of each individual. We encourage each contribution to the establishment of an open, inclusive environment that supports and empowers our employees.
National diversity program
The National Diversity Program is our programwide effort to advance our National Diversity Agenda. The development of Diversity Program initiatives is the shared responsibility of the National Diversity Council, the National Diversity Department, regional and local diversity councils and departments, and regional and local multicultural staff associations.
Kaiser Permanente serves one of the most culturally diverse communities in the world. Our members speak more than 80 different languages and each language represents a race, ethnicity, or culture with unique beliefs, values, traditions, and behaviors. Our goal is to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate care across the spectrum of our diverse membership.
R. J. Erickson Diversity Achievement Awards
Announced at the annual National Diversity Conference, Kaiser Permanente's R. J. Erickson Diversity Achievement Awards honor individuals, groups, and facilities that have demonstrated extraordinary efforts to achieve our diversity objectives. Winners are selected from more than 100 nominees across the Program.
Culturally competent care
Our longstanding commitment to diversity includes both the development of a diverse workforce and the delivery of culturally competent care to our members.
Under the direction of our National Diversity Council, Kaiser Permanente has played an important role in advancing culturally competent care - health care that acknowledges cultural diversity in the clinical setting, respects members' beliefs and practices, and ensures that cultural needs are considered and respected at every point of contact.
Through our Institute for Culturally Competent Care, Kaiser Permanente has established "Centers of Excellence," innovative clinical models that respond to the health needs of specific populations. The San Francisco Center of Excellence provides primary care in Spanish and Chinese, as well as onsite services by interpreters proficient in other languages and dialects.
A Center of Excellence focusing on the African-American population has been established at our West Los Angeles Medical Center. The Center focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and management of conditions prevalent among African Americans: sickle cell disease, congestive heart failure, and prostate cancer.
Similarly, we have established a Latino Center of Excellence in the Colorado Region with a multipronged approach to culturally competent care. La Clinica de la Familia provides primary care through a bilingual family practice and addresses the specific health needs of the region's Latino membership.
At the same time, we are committed to creating a workforce with a high level of cultural sensitivity and the language skills needed to help eliminate cultural barriers to communication. The diversity of our workforce allows us to provide personalized services to market segments such as women over 65, Latino families, and Russian immigrants, meeting each member's needs in a way that is valuable for them.
Our goal is to enhance the diversity of our workforce and to provide culturally competent care and culturally appropriate services to improve the health and satisfaction of our membership. In order for Kaiser Permanente to be premiere as an organization, we must embrace diversity -- to enhance, celebrate, and learn from it. Our diversity is also our strength.