Announcing the UMMS Cultural Competency Assessment

Subject: Message from Dr. Suntha and Dr. King: Cultural Competency Assessment

Dear Colleagues,

We write to you today in the first joint announcement from your Chief Executive Officer and Chief Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Officer with an update on our progress toward making equity, diversity and inclusion the foundation of our UMMS culture.

In April, we hosted a series of Equity Exchanges that provided guided discussions for team members to share their feelings and learn from their peers about issues related to diversity and inclusion, both personally and professionally. While our partners analyze what we learned from these sessions, our work continues this month, when we will invite team members to participate in a Cultural Competency Organizational Assessment (COA360).

The COA360 is an online, anonymous questionnaire that will measure cultural competency across the System based on national standards established by the federal Office of Minority Health, Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS). The questionnaire will be managed by the Exeter Group, a healthcare equity-consulting firm with deep expertise in equity, diversity and inclusion.

Patients and community partners of UMMS member organizations will complete a similar survey. Together, the results will provide UMMS with a baseline for cultural competency.

Why now? We believe that having a strong culture of inclusion creates a fertile environment for staff to grow and succeed. The first step in building this culture is understanding where we are now. This work is critical to our future as a System that is more inclusive and equal for everyone. Your feedback is especially important to us to ensure that every voice and perspective at UMMS is included. We ask that you please consider taking a few moments to anonymously share your thoughts and experiences by participating in the COA360. You will receive an email with a link to the questionnaire on Monday, September 20.

For more information about the survey and the four strategic priorities of the System-wide commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, visit OneUMMS.org/EDI.

Mohan Suntha, MD, MBA
President and Chief Executive Officer
University of Maryland Medical System
The Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Professor of Radiation Oncology
University of Maryland School of Medicine

Roderick K. King, MD, MPH
Senior Vice President, Chief Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Officer
University of Maryland Medical System

 

What’s Next for the One UMMS One ASK Survey?

One UMMS One ASK combined three separate surveys into one, making it easier to share your feedback about UMMS.

One UMMS Staffing Pool – Sept, 08, 2020

The COVID-19 health crisis has required new ways of thinking and quick action across our System. Medical professionals and health care team members, clinical and non-clinical alike, are rising to the challenges of this unprecedented health crisis. Our need for qualified professionals to assist us in all aspects of delivering exceptional care is growing.

One UMMS Staffing Pool – May 4, 2020

The COVID-19 health crisis has required new ways of thinking and quick action across our System. Medical professionals and health care team members, clinical and non-clinical alike, are rising to the challenges of this unprecedented health crisis. Our need for qualified professionals to assist us in all aspects of delivering exceptional care is growing.

Medline Supply Chain Partnership Improves Patient Care

The COVID-19 health crisis has required new ways of thinking and quick action across our System. Medical professionals and health care team members, clinical and non-clinical alike, are rising to the challenges of this unprecedented health crisis. Our need for qualified professionals to assist us in all aspects of delivering exceptional care is growing.

One UMMS Staffing Center

The COVID-19 health crisis has required new ways of thinking and quick action across our System. Medical professionals and health care team members, clinical and non-clinical alike, are rising to the challenges of this unprecedented health crisis. Our need for qualified professionals to assist us in all aspects of delivering exceptional care is growing.

New UMMS Pay Practices

We have joined forces across our System like never before as we have come together in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now is the time to further integrate how we work together across the System and position UMMS for long-term sustainability. Standardized practices and policies are one important step on this journey.

Morrison Healthcare New Partner for Food and Nutritional Services

UMMS has selected Morrison Healthcare as our new partner to lead Food and Nutritional Services at all UMMS hospitals. The phased-in transition will begin May 1 and continue through July.

MedSpeed Accelerates System Deliveries

Whether you are sending financials, pharmaceuticals or lab specimens, you now have access to a single service for all your courier and intra-System delivery needs. MedSpeed provides courier service for some of the nation’s most complex health systems, and now UMMS is leveraging the company’s experience to enhance courier service across our System.

Patient Experience Gets a Lyft

UMMS has joined other leading health care institutions around the country in launching a service to provide curb-to-curb transportation for patients across the System. The new UMMS partnership with Lyft will allow authorized team members to quickly schedule reliable transportation for non-emergency patients. Plus, UMMS team members get to share the opportunity, too.

X