TriHealth Bridge

February 22, 2021

 
The history of African American healthcare is filled with both stories of tragedy and triumph. Both the impact of healthcare on African Americans and the impact made by African Americans in healthcare can be dated back to the horrific conditions of slavery and through the centuries to the Civil Rights era. 
 
Just as important as working to eradicate the health disparities that the African American community faces is celebrating the historical and present-day healthcare pioneers' accomplishments.
 
Did You Know?
  • A slave brought the Science of vaccines to the colonies in the early 1700s. A man named Onesimus, born in Africa, shared scientific knowledge of inoculation from his home in Africa with his slave master, Cotton Mather. Mather used the practices to protect Boston from an outbreak of smallpox.
  • James McCune Smith, born from a slave, received the first medical degree from the University of Scotland and became the first African American to publish medical research in a scientific journal. Though he was denied membership to the American Medical Association, he established his own practice and went on to help save over 1,000 children from measles and smallpox through vaccination.
  • The 1963 Simkins v. Moses H. Cone Hospital case aided the fight to end segregation in federally-funded hospitals. In 1964, the Civil Rights Act banned discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin for any agency, which included hospitals.
  • Despite much progress, in 2019, only 2.6% of the nation's doctors identified as Black or African American. In 2020, only 7.3% of students enrolled in medical school identified as Black or African American.
Representation Matters
At TriHealth, our core values call us to respect all persons and value differences. We believe that embracing diversity is critical to providing quality care to our patients as well as providing a respectful and inclusive work environment. We define diversity as the unique differences and similarities that our team members, patients, families, physicians, volunteers and communities bring to our environment.
 
TriHealth's history is rooted in the principles and values of respect. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are ingrained in our mission and values, which date back to the work of our founders, the Sisters of Charity and Methodist Deaconesses.
 
We are fortunate to have the expertise of many extraordinary physicians, clinicians and leaders. This month we would like to spotlight some of our African American physicians and nurse leaders who are making significant contributions to TriHealth.
Watch Now! Who in Black History Inspires You
Some of TriHealth's prestigious African American leaders have shared who in African American history inspires them most. Watch the short video and take a moment to consider who inspires you or made a mark on your life.
 
Featured in the video:
  • Jeanette Jackson, Manager Human Resources Service Center
  • Latrice Behanan, Nurse Manager
  • Joi Carter, GSH Patient Experience Manager
Connecting Through the TRIBE ERG
TRIBE (TriHealth Resource Initiative for Black Employees) is TriHealth's first African American employee resource group (ERG) that brings people together to increase awareness of our rich culture through special events celebrating history and heritage and developing leaders.
 
TRIBE's mission is to promote and support TriHealth's on-going efforts to foster a culturally competent and inclusive work environment for team members who identify as Black, African, African American, and Caribbean. We will pursue this mission by maximizing the potential of team members within the organization. 
 
If you want to get involved, email TRIBE at TRIBE@TriHealth.com.
 
Continue to look for ways to celebrate and become educated in African American culture. Happy Black History Month!
 
Sneak Peek: Next month, we will be celebrating Women's History Month.  
 

 

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Comments:

I appreciate that fact that Trihealth is allowing all team members bring their whole selves to work. Thank you D&I for tapping into us and learning more about who we are.
Posted by: Joi Carter on February 24, 2021
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thank you very informative
Posted by: Nan Zupancic on February 24, 2021
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Thank you for bringing to the forefront the accomplishments of the AA community in health and beyond.
Posted by: Mary Terrell on February 24, 2021
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Thank you for this. Very informative.
Posted by: Iesha Metcalf on February 24, 2021
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Thank you for all of the recognition and information. Please continue to enlighten us all with the history and present day accomplishments.
Posted by: Bobbie Hollins on February 24, 2021
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