The Houston Business Journal (HBJ) once again recognizes Memorial Hermann Health System as an Outstanding Diverse Organization. HBJ’s annual Diversity in Business Award celebrates organizations that excel in promoting equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) within their workforce and community engagement practices. Memorial Hermann Health System received the award previously in 2022. As part of its 2023 awards, the HBJ honored Memorial Hermann leaders Dr. Toi Harris, senior vice president and chief equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) officer for Memorial Hermann Health System, and Rodney Cox, director of pharmacy and respiratory therapy at Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center, individually.
Memorial Hermann’s more than 34,000 employees reflect the diversity of the Greater Houston Area – one of the most diverse cities in the country. The award acknowledges the System's EDI work in the four areas of its strategic EDI framework: People, Health, Community and Research.
"Receiving HBJ's Outstanding Diverse Organization recognition for the second time in three years is a wonderful honor and reflects the commitment of our entire workforce to foster an inclusive environment that advances health equity and improves the health and wellbeing of our communities,” said Dr. David Callender, president and CEO of Memorial Hermann Health System.
A key initiative of Memorial Hermann's EDI strategy is the Institute for the Advancement of Health Equity, launched in 2023 to address health disparities through research and collaboration. Speaking about the Institute, Dr. Toi Harris, who serves as its Executive Director, said, "The Institute is at the forefront of our mission to address the social determinants affecting community health, both locally and nationally. Our work aims to create innovative, sustainable improvements in health equity, aligning with our strategic goals to enhance health care access and outcomes for all."
Memorial Hermann's EDI efforts include comprehensive training programs, employee resource groups and community engagement designed to enhance inclusivity. The organization engages in local and regional collaborations, including the Healthcare Anchor Network, to address health disparities and contribute to economic development.
Memorial Hermann will be celebrated alongside other honorees at the Diversity in Business Awards luncheon on March 28 and in the March 29 edition of the Houston Business Journal.
Visit HBJ's website here to see the full list of recognized organizations.