Ochsner Health is a system that delivers health to the people of Louisiana, Mississippi and the Gulf South with a mission to Serve, Heal, Lead, Educate and Innovate.
Ochsner’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) councils, representing employees in every region and in key roles, provide invaluable insight and guidance in helping to steer the organization’s five-pillar DEI strategy:
1. Provide equitable care
2. Develop diverse and inclusive leadership
3. Create an inclusive environment for patients, their families, our employees and clinicians
4. Establish a comprehensive supplier diversity program
5. Develop an inclusive internal and external DEI communications strategy
The System Diversity Council serves an important dual role: to consult about programmatic and strategic initiatives, and to act as ambassadors and advocates for diversity and inclusion initiatives. Comprised of key stakeholders throughout Ochsner, the Diversity Council’s meetings offer an opportunity for ideas and programs to be introduced and discussed.
The structure of the Diversity and Inclusion Councils have been established to roles and regions across our organization.
The Physician DEI Council’s mission is to ensure Ochsner Health is an institution of diversity, inclusion and equity for all physicians, employees, trainees and patients within the communities we serve.
Executive Chairs: Deborah Grimes and Robert Hart, MD
Chairs: Troy Scroggins, MD, Melissa M. Love and Veronica Gillispie, MD
The Advanced Practice Provider (APP) DEI Council’s mission is to ensure APPs at Ochsner are respected, treated fairly, and have equal access to opportunities and resources to practice to their fullest potential to serve our diverse communities. Our APPs will celebrate differences that promote diversity, equity and inclusion to strengthen our workforce and improve patient outcomes within the community.
Executive Sponsors: Robert Hart, MD, Melissa M. Love, Deborah Grimes and Emilie Davis, PA-C
Co-chairs: Varsha Castro-Gusman, PA-C, Melissa M. Love and Vera Williams, NP
The mission of the Nursing DEI Council is to serve as a driving force advocating for and improving the culture of diversity and inclusion, seeking to improve the Patient Experience by creating a robust mentorship program and supporting career planning and educational programs for nurses.
Chairs: Deborah Ford, MSN, RN and Bruce Weinberg
Executive Sponsors: Tracey Moffatt, MHA, BSN, RN and Deborah Grimes
Ochsner’s regional DEI councils provide support, insight and advice to the regional diversity and inclusion directors, serving as both a touch point with regional employees and ambassadors for diversity and inclusion programming. Members of the councils are drawn from employees of all job descriptions and levels, and this breadth of experience helps to hone and deploy meaningful strategic initiatives.
The regional councils represent the following regions and campuses.