Memorial Health System in Gulfport, Mississippi closed out Women’s History Month with a significant discussion as part of its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) program. The panel discussion held on Tuesday morning focused on this year’s national theme of women advocating for equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Memorial Health System Communications Manager, Erin Rosetti, highlighted the impact of implicit bias and the importance of listening and understanding others’ experiences to create a healthier community and establish better relationships. She expressed excitement about the program’s expansion and thanked the panelists for their commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion within the healthcare industry.
This year’s panel of speakers included Chief Nursing Officer Mary Brobst, Director of Patient Financial Services Crystal Bowler, Healthcare Accreditation Coordinator Lucinda L’Enfant, and Family Nurse Practitioner Diane Edrington. Each speaker brought unique perspectives on how women can advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion in healthcare.
Brobst emphasized the importance of addressing systemic racism within healthcare institutions to create a more equitable environment for all patients. Bowler discussed her own experiences as a woman of color in the financial services industry and how she is working to create a more inclusive workplace culture at Memorial Health System. L’Enfant shared her insights on how technology can be used to promote diversity and inclusion within healthcare organizations. Edrington spoke about the critical role that nurse practitioners play in promoting health equity among underserved communities.
The discussion was open to Memorial staff and community members who were eager to learn more about how they can contribute to creating a more diverse and inclusive healthcare environment. Rosetti encouraged attendees to continue this conversation outside of Women’s History Month by fostering dialogue around issues related to DEI in their daily lives
