Vision Statement

Individuals are respected for their contributions.

Each of us bring unique perspectives, talents, and skills to the workplace. We value this diversity and foster it so that it will flourish and grow. Therefore, we encourage each of us to share, no matter how different our contributions might be.

Each of us, in turn, has a responsibility to contribute our best for the betterment of the medical center community. By respecting the positive contributions of each of us, all of us become more worthy of respect.

In addition, each of us has a responsibility to treat every person in a professional manner, showing respect for each one as a human being, regardless of how we feel about their personal backgrounds, lifestyles, or behaviors.

Through this process, the culture of our organization changes, from one of competition, to one of cooperation. It becomes no longer necessary, nor even possible, for one person to advance at the expense of another. Instead, we celebrate the advances which each of us and all of us make together.

Likewise, each of us and all of us take responsibility for our mistakes, realizing that mistakes are a growing, learning process. In that environment, it becomes no longer necessary, and certainly discouraged, to assign blame, because we know that by doing this, all of us are to blame; but when honor reflects on all of us, each of us is honored.

We assess what we have learned, and what we can do to improve the process, while respecting each of us for the courage and effort made to participate in a sincere and transparent manner.

Being honest and transparent in our behaviors, we demonstrate respect for each of us by refusing to listen to or spread gossip. Because of this respect, each of us takes no action without first considering how it will affect the harmony and welfare of all of us.

Our systems and practices include the opportunity for each of us and all of us to grow by gaining understanding of differing modes of thinking and the ideas expressed by others. This affords each of us and all of us the opportunity to throw off the limits of our thinking and leap ahead.

Decisions are based upon the merit of ideas.

The best decisions can be made only after all voices are heard, because we never know where or from whom the best ideas will be spoken. Once offered, these ideas are no longer attached to an individual, but, like gifts, belong to the recipient (i.e. our team, our department, our medical center community).

Sometimes, during this process, differing ideas might conflict. We are not afraid of constructive conflict, because it is managed in a healthy, respectful manner. Through the clash of conflicting ideas, the spark of truth appears! Because our discussions focus on ideas-at-hand, not on personalities or ownership, and because we are willing to listen to the ideas of others, without interrupting or attacking the person who is speaking, the truth becomes apparent to all.

We test each idea by looking for the scientific, business, and ethical principles which apply. Thus, our decisions are principle-based. We do not think about who is "right" and who is "wrong." Each of us and all of us are "right," because we participate in this process.

Ideas are welcome from all.

We recognize that intelligence, common sense, and the ability to create effective solutions for the benefit of all are present throughout society and, therefore, throughout our organization. As a diverse organization, we solicit ideas from all who want to contribute their talent toward the betterment of our medical center community. These ideas and concepts are treated as valuable information and used in our internal review and decision processes to enhance our missions.

In addition, we make decisions that will affect each of us and all of us, only after consulting those who would be directly affected, to learn how such changes might impact their working environment. Whenever possible, we include those affected by the decision-making process. In this way, the diverse needs of each of us and all of us are respected. As a result, the contribution of each of us and all of us is recognized and valued.

Differences are viewed as strength.

Just as the different qualities of various elements contribute to the amalgamation of steel, human differences contribute towards a stronger organization, providing a wider pool of talents and knowledge.

Differences are expected and welcomed as a means of creating our best solutions. We strive always to be our best. Doing so requires nothing less than the process of continuous review and improvement of ourselves and our medical center community.

By encouraging the expression of differences, we provide ourselves the opportunity to include in this process thoughts which otherwise might have remained latent as untapped potential. By accepting the differences of each of us, all of us open ourselves to a wider array of possibilities. By recognizing and valuing differences, we help to sharpen our thinking and develop better solutions than we could have attained by ignoring differences. The strength of each of us and all of us derives from our differences.

Equity is an expectation.

Equity is a commitment to treating each of us in a culturally competent manner. In our pursuit of equity, we learn to ask the right questions, and to listen for the answers, so that we know how to treat each of us and all of us equitably. This fairness is sensed by all, including our patients, visitors, and the larger community.

Equity is a core value of our medical center community culture. Every interaction between each of us and all of us reflects this value.

Our systems and practices, at every level, express this value. Equity requires that we constantly examine the processes by which we accomplish our goals to insure that none of us is afforded special privilege or preferential treatment, overtly, or by default.

By the same token, equity may require special efforts to include those who would not otherwise be included, so that our systems and practices reflect the changing attributes of the greater community we serve.

Systems and practices promote a positive environment.

As the structure of our organization becomes less rigid, with fewer layers, it becomes flatter and wider. This allows our communication processes to flow in any direction, as needed and desired. Continuous, consistent methods are used to ensure less bureaucracy and more opportunity for information sharing. Traditional and non-traditional approaches are undertaken routinely to enable continuous progress.

Various approaches to measuring success in reaching our goals are utilized because our diversity is always evolving. We create new ways to improve our systems and practices. As changes are made, we keep each of us and all of us informed on a timely basis, through open, transparent communications.

A diversity of ongoing methods is used to assess the environmental climate of the medical center community, by staying attuned to day-to-day events and how they impact attitudes and the well-being of each of us and all of us. We take preventive precautions, acting swiftly and deliberately to address the concerns of each of us and all of us as they arise.

By establishing official, open channels of communication, where each of us can be heard, and by addressing those concerns quickly and decisively, unofficial channels of dissent and discontent do not divert our focus and energies. With harmony in diversity, each of us and all of us promote a safe and trusting environment.

Individuals are free to achieve their potential.

Each of us are encouraged, mentored, and rewarded as we open ourselves to achieving our potential. We are now empowered, within limits, to take risks.

Each of us take personal responsibility for ourselves and our actions. We hold ourselves to high standards and expectations. We expect each of us and all of us to continue to learn, expanding our capabilities over time. Continuation of education, training, skill development, and focus on customer service is the norm.

The complexity of diversity is valued.

A commitment to diversity requires each of us to immerse ourselves in a lifetime of learning from others, so that we continuously develop greater abilities to see and listen differently and more effectively. We know this process is not easy and is not comfortable. It requires great courage and the burning desire to learn more, not only about each of us and all of us, but to explore why we think as we do, and how to expand that capacity to attain the freedom to think in new, creative ways.

Each of us is a multifaceted individual interacting with other multifaceted individuals in multifaceted environments. The result is a densely-woven, complexly-patterned tapestry of life. It is this very complexity, this multifaceted variability, that is essential for the life of the human body (the individual) and for the body human (the community).

Complexity is a source of strength.

The work of all is appreciated.

There is great dignity in work. There is a sense of pride in accomplishment. This dignity and pride is reinforced with recognition and support from each of us and all of us, because it is only with the combined work of each of us and all of us that we succeed.

We recognize that we succeed together more than we do as individuals. In fact, the combined efforts of each of us and all of us can be greater than the sum of what each of us contributes. This occurs because individuals working cooperatively together often realize new insights more quickly than they would independently.

One new insight leads to many new insights. The experience is energizing, accelerating the progress of the group. Individual contributions are important, but there would be few individual contributions without the support provided by all. We depend upon each of us and all of us. We count upon each of us and all of us.

Communication takes place in a supportive manner.

We treat each of us and all of us in a manner that fosters growth and self confidence. The way we communicate, verbally, in writing, and with our actions, enhances self esteem in all of our interactions. Even during informal communications, such as joking, content reflects intent: to enjoy a moment and build positive relationships through humor.

When circumstances need improvement, we approach them with a positive, supportive mindset. Tense situations may be alleviated by humor which focuses on commonalities, not on differences.

Effective, positive, supportive communications improve the working and learning environment for each of us and all of us.

The rights of each of us and all of us are respected.

Each of us has the right to make personal life decisions outside the workplace. How each of us chooses to live, the companions with whom we associate, whom we choose as mates, our political, religious, and moral beliefs, our hobbies, our families, the neighborhoods in which we live, and our personal tastes are examples of what make us unique as individuals. We respect the right of each person to make those personal choices independently for themselves, with no interference.

Our vision of diversity is each of us and all of us!