May 29, 2014

Jamie Easterling, executive director of hospital operations for Good Samaritan and executive sponsor for the hospital's Diversity Advisory Council, has been named the 2014 Executive Sponsor of the Year by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.

Jamie was recognized at the Diversity Summit, held May 28 at Bethesda North. Lisette Davis, director of Diversity Services, presented the award with the following introduction:

Jamie Easterling is the Executive Director for Good Samaritan Hospital and the Executive Sponsor of the Good Samaritan Hospital Diversity Advisory Council, also known as the Good Sam DAC.

Jamie says, 'Diversity at TriHealth is about including everyone. It is important that we find a way to celebrate our diversity and be willing to discuss our differences while respecting other's ideas.' I am reminded of a recent quote that stated, 'Diversity is about being asked to the party, but Inclusion is being asked to dance.'

Jamie is the definition of inclusion. From the very beginning of our partnership with Jamie, he has made great contributions for the Good Samaritan DAC. His participation and commitment to the team has been phenomenal and so much more than we could have asked for in an executive sponsor.  Successful executive sponsorship requires a deep understanding of organizational culture and awareness of how the diversity advisory council will help the organization achieve its goals. Part of the sponsor's job is to promote their DAC within the organization, making sure that everyone understands the benefits they will provide.

As the Executive Sponsor of the Good Samaritan DAC, Jamie has been an engaged supporter and has included the Diversity Council in his monthly manager meetings. Jamie has made sure that Diversity and Inclusion topics are presented monthly and has invited our DAC Chair Karen Henderson to present on several Diversity topics to make sure that awareness of Diversity and Inclusion is communicated and taken back to each department. As Jamie say's in his Diversity statement it is important for him that everyone be willing to discuss our differences while respecting other's ideas. Jamie does this with intent and purpose to make it happen for the Good Samaritan Hospital.

Above and beyond Jamie has been integral in our partnership with Project Search which is our school to work program for students with disabilities. Last year, The Children's Hospital held an open house event to talk about the Project Search program and introduce all of the students that were enrolled in the program for that year. Jamie attended the Project Search Open House and instantly the students took to his engagement with their program. There was even one student by the name of Ben Naylor who talked with Jamie about working at Good Sam and told him with full confidence that one day he would be working for him one day. Well Jamie made that happen and Ben Naylor will be completing his first 10-week rotation at Good Sam this month working in Guest Services reporting to Lisa Bryan. 

Jamie demonstrates his commitment to Diversity and Inclusion every day and goes above and beyond the call of duty to make sure that we as an organization continue culture change and inclusion. This is why Jamie Easterling is our 2014 Executive Sponsor of the Year.