(Providence, RI) – As part of its mission to build a more inclusive and equitable healthcare system, Care New England Health System (CNE) recently hosted its fourth annual DEI Summit 2024: Access in Action.
Each year, Care New England’s DEI Summit is dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment and advancing equitable access to healthcare for all communities. The Summit provides a unique platform to hear from esteemed community health leaders and partners who are at the forefront of promoting access, equity, and well-being.
Summit attendees were introduced to and educated on the latest strategies, research, and best practices for advancing equity in healthcare. The Summit included engaging presentations, lively panel discussions, hands-on workshops, and networking opportunities that advance CNE’s collective knowledge on healthcare equity, social drivers of health, serving LGBTQ+ populations, trauma-informed care, and more.
“This year, I am proud to say that Care New England built on previous years’ work of advancing our collective understanding of health equity. While identifying barriers is key, we must be solution-orientated with our community at the core. I am so grateful to the many local organizations who contributed to helping us advance toward a more equitable and inclusive Care New England,” said Kevin K. Martins, Ed.D., MBA, Vice President & Chief Diversity Officer.
This year’s Leadership Award winner was Stephanie Czech, PhD., Director of Behavioral Health, CNEMG/Kent Hospital, and the Team Excellence winner was the Academic Midwifery Department, Women & Infants Hospital (which includes Ana Sofia Barber De Brito CNM, MSN; Elisabeth Howard, CNM, PhD; Linda Hunter, CNM, EdD; Elizabeth Kettyle, CNM, MSN, MPH; Sarah Kleinman, CNM, MSN; Julie Knutson, CNM, DNP; Ashleigh Shiffler, CNM, MSN; Linda Steinhardt CNM, MSN; Cynthia Voytas, CNM, MSN).
This year’s Keynote Speaker was Dr. Larry Warner. Dr. Warner is the Chief Impact and Equity Officer at United Way of Rhode Island, where he oversees the organization’s grantmaking, 211 call center, research and data analytics, policy and advocacy, and senior and disability services. Before the United Way, he was the Strategic Initiative Officer for Health at the Rhode Island Foundation. He is chair of the Governor's Council on Behavioral Health and has served on Rhode Island's COVID-19 Equity Council and as co-chair of the Rhode Island Commission for Health Advocacy and Equity. He is president-elect of the Rhode Island Public Health Association, a board member of the Care Transformation Collaborative of Rhode Island and serves on the planning committee of Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island.
The Closing Keynote Speaker was Dr. Rahul Vanjani. Dr. Vanjani is an Internal Medicine Physician, Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, and Chief Medical Officer at the Amos House, which serves the homeless, individuals struggling with substance use disorders, and those who are living in poverty. At Amos House, Dr. Vanjani runs an interprofessional clinic that integrates social care into the practice of medicine. His work focuses on interprofessional collaboration, such as the medical-criminal legal partnership, and implementation of practical, easy-to-use tools that empower health systems to address patients’ social challenges.
About Care New England
Care New England Health System is a trusted organization that fuels the latest advances in medical research, attracts the nation’s top specialty-trained doctors, hones renowned services and innovative programs, and engages in the important discussions people need to have about their health and end-of-life wishes. Care New England is helping to transform the future of health care, providing a leading voice in the ongoing effort to ensure the health of the individuals and communities we serve.
CNE was founded in 1996, and today it is the parent organization of Butler Hospital, Kent Hospital, Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, Care New England Medical Group, the VNA of Care New England, The Providence Center, and Integra, a certified accountable care organization (ACO). Care New England includes 970 licensed beds and 216 infant bassinets. Through Butler, Kent, and Women & Infants hospitals, Care New England has a teaching and research affiliation with The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. Kent is also a teaching affiliate of The University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine.
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