Join the Conversation: Invest in Yourself and Others, and Help Us Create a More Equitable Workplace.

Imagine a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their unique talents and perspectives. At Cook Children's, we're committed to making this vision a reality, and we're excited to announce a brand-new Inclusion, Diversity and Equity (IDE) and Health Equity education program launching in mid-March for all employees. 

Why is this important? 

This workshop will equip us with the knowledge and skills to: 

• Recognize implicit bias and its effects on ourselves and others. 
• Understand how implicit bias and social determinants of health contribute to disparities in health care. 
• Develop strategies to mitigate implicit bias. 
• Identify tactics to promote equity for both patients and colleagues. 

What's in it for you? 

• Continuing education credits are available! 
• Completing this 90-minute virtual course will be considered an achievement on your annual evaluation. Remember, we all have a new “common review date” this fall, and this will be a key talking point to discuss during your visit with your manager.
• Most importantly, you'll gain valuable knowledge and tools to contribute to a more equitable and inclusive workplace for everyone. 

"Everyone's participation is crucial in creating a workplace where individuals feel valued, respected, and empowered to be their authentic selves. By living out the organization's core values of Respect, Kindness, Generosity, Imagination, Safety, and Collaboration, Cook Children's can achieve greater strength and unity," said Winifred “Wini” King, our Senior Vice President and Chief Communications, Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity Officer, shares a heartfelt message: 

Registration is now open! Please complete the course through ULearn before our new evaluation review date in the fall.  Here's a link to the course on ULearn called IDE Workshop: Foundation of Inclusion, Diversity, and Health Equity.  Or you can simply search for “IDE Workshop” on ULearn and the different virtual course offerings will populate.

Together, we can build a stronger, more inclusive Cook Children's, where everyone feels like family, and where we can improve the well-being of every child in our care and our communities. 

We look forward to seeing you there! 
 

A Message from Winifred “Wini” King, our Senior Vice President and Chief of Communications, Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity

Hi everyone,

I'm Wini King, your Senior Vice President and Chief of Communications, Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity at Cook Children's. Like many of you, I strive to create a world where everyone feels welcome, valued, and empowered to reach their full potential. That's the driving force behind why we are here today.

This workshop resonates deeply because it goes back to the very core of who we are at Cook Children's: building a health care system that truly embraces everyone. We have the privilege of serving more than 580,000 patients from diverse backgrounds, and each one deserves the best possible care, delivered with respect and genuine understanding.

The truth is, there are still discrepancies in health care access and outcomes. But together, we have the power to bridge these gaps. We also have the responsibility to bridge the gaps between each other. After all, we work under the same blue peaks, share the same values of kindness, respect, collaboration, and more.

This workshop marks the beginning of our collective journey. We'll delve into crucial topics like implicit bias, which we all have and how those biases can unintentionally impact us all.

But this isn't just about knowledge acquisition. It's about creating a space for open and honest dialogue, where we can learn from each other's experiences. It might push some of us out of our comfort zones, and that's okay. Growth rarely flourishes in stagnant waters.

Finally, allow me to share a personal anecdote. Years ago, when I was right out of college, I worked in television news as a reporter. Every day I signed out each story with the name I preferred, Winifred. One day my assignment editor told me “From now on we’ll call you Wini because your name is too long for me to write on the assignment board.”

While I’ve come to embrace the name and have no problem with people calling me Wini, at the time, it really bothered me. I didn’t have the words to tell him, that shortening my name without my permission, made me feel that somehow, it would alter how the world perceives me. After all, it is MY name and a critical part of my sense of self.

Some people feel giving a person a nickname creates familiarity. But sometimes it does the opposite. I know other people whose names have been shortened because it may think it’s too long and too hard to pronounce. Taking the time to learn and use someone’s preferred name is showing kindness and generosity to them.

I hope my own personal experience perfectly embodies the spirit of this workshop. It's about ensuring everyone feels seen, valued, and respected for who they are. It's about fostering an environment where everyone thrives.

I’m so glad you all here as we embark on this journey together.