At ProMedica Health System, diversity is a strategic and competitive advantage as well as a key to fulfilling our values of collaboration, community-based, compassion, excellence, integrity and stewardship. Our ability to attract and retain the best talent to deliver culturally sensitive care to our diverse patients is fundamental to our mission. 

Our diversity strategy is focused in three areas: our patients, employees and communities. Highlights of some of ProMedica's diversity activies are listed below:

Dietary Considerations – With medical approval, we accommodate dietary needs based on religious customs. Whether it’s Kosher or Halal food, our dietary staff will take care of the arrangements.

Spiritual Needs – ProMedica provides chaplain services upon request. Ministers, priests, rabbis and imams are available throughout ProMedica Health System. 

All of ProMedica's hospitals and other facilities strive to provide the best care for all patients' unique needs. One example of these efforts is that in 2006 Flower Hospital became one of the first hospitals in the U.S. to earn certification for its competent treatment of diverse patient populations. The distinction came from The Center for Multicultural Competency in Healthcare Organizations (CMCHO), an independent organization created to certify health care organizations in multicultural competency. Why is this designation important? As America's demographics continue to reflect greater diversity, significant differences in the health status of various multicultural groups continue to exist, especially with highly treatable diseases such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease and hypertension. CMCHO's certification process validates the capabilities and capacity of hospitals to meet unique health care needs of these patient subgroups.

Our Physicians

ProMedica also strongly supports its physicians in offering quality care based upon each patient's specific needs. One example is that a group of ProMedica physicians are currently participating in a national initiative through Ohio KePRO (Ohio's Medicare Quality Improvement Organization) to provide their practices with skills to recognize different cultural values, beliefs and practices—and, more importantly, to address these factors during patient interventions. This has proven to result in more successful treatment outcomes and patient satisfaction.

Our Employees

Leadership Support and Commitment – We strive to create an inclusive work environment where employees have an equal opportunity to achieve their fullest potential. Our management team assists with integrating diversity throughout the fabric of the organization. Leaders from each of ProMedica's business units serve on the Corporate Diversity Steering Council to drive diversity throughout each level of the organization.

Employee Growth and Development – Employees can attend a variety of classes on diversity to increase their awareness of diversity and enhance their skill level for providing culturally appropriate care to patients. Also, activities are held to celebrate heritage months of different cultures.

Employee Performance – ProMedica communicates diversity standards in the employee performance document through which all employees are annually evaluated. These standards address how we treat each other and how we care for our patients.

Employee Feedback – We care what our employees think about diversity and collect their feedback through a workplace diversity survey. The data is used to assess ProMedica's progress of creating an inclusive work environment.