RWJBarnabas Health CEO Barry Ostrowsky has long been a champion of a diverse and inclusive workplace. So, it only made sense that Ostrowsky is the latest of nearly 2,000 CEOs who have come together and signed the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion pledge.
By signing on to this commitment, RWJBarnabas Health is pledging to take action to cultivate a workplace where diverse perspectives and experiences are welcomed and respected and where employees feel encouraged to discuss diversity and inclusion. The collective of nearly 2,000 signatories have already shared more than 1,400 best-known actions, exchanging tangible learning opportunities and creating collaborative conversations via the initiative’s unified hub, CEOAction.com.
“Establishing and fostering an inclusive environment is crucial to the well-being of both our RWJBarnabas Health workforce and the communities we serve,” Ostrowsky said. “We have long believed that diversity, equity and inclusion are central to our mission as a health provider, and we are committed to accelerating those efforts.”
Trina Parks, the system’s chief diversity and inclusion officer, said the organization’s commitment is clear.
“As a system, we continue to strive for excellence in the areas of diversity, equity and inclusion, which affects and touches every part of our business as well as on a state and national front,” she said. “We stand committed to advancing this work for our employees, patients, visitors and communities served, and look forward to sharing our best practice approaches and learning from other health care leaders that continue to advance this work.”
Organizations joining the pledge are taking a step toward effecting positive change. A diverse and inclusive workforce facilitates community, but also drives innovation and creativity. A study found that 85% of those surveyed reported that diversity is a key component to fostering innovation.
