April 4, 2008

PCS honored for diversity

Since its inception in 1995, the Patient Care Services (PCS) Diversity Program has made great strides in promoting the recruitment and retention of minority staff and offering patients the best in culturally competent care. Led by Deborah Washington, RN, PhDc, director of PCS Diversity, the program is recognized as a model for similar efforts across the country and plays a vital role in fostering a welcoming and inclusive and inclusive environment for patients and staff alike. Its initiatives include the development of cultural rounds to educate employees about potentially sensitive cultural issues, heritage celebrations, mentoring programs, a culturally competent care curriculum, community outreach and educational support for minority staff.

Outstanding diversity efforts: The Arnold Z. Rosoff Award

As a result of these varied and far-reaching efforts, PCS has been named the winner of the prestigious Arnold Z. Rosoff Award in the category of Internal Diversity Initiative, which are co-sponsored by the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and the Boston Ad Club to promote greater diversity in the Boston advertising and business communities and salute the area's most successful diversity initiatives, Washington accepted the award on behalf of PCS at a special luncheon March 26. In addition to Washington, Carmen Vega-Barachowitz, MS, CCC-SLP, director of Speech, Language & Swallowing Disorders and Reading Disabilities; Pat Rowell, director of Volunteer, Interpreter, Information Ambassadors and General Store Services; and the PCS Diversity Steering Committee also have been instrumental in fostering a welcoming and inclusive culture at the MGH.

Honoring MGH's diversity: Washington, far right, accepted the award on behalf of PCS.