Pride Month is an opportunity each June to recognize and celebrate the valuable contributions and collective strength of our LGBTQIA+ colleagues, community members and friends.
Swedish is stronger and better able to deliver on our mission due to the diversity of our caregivers and the value we place on inclusion. Everyone at Swedish – including our LGBTQIA+ caregivers and patients – deserves to feel welcome, valued, and able to bring their whole selves to the workplace and to their care for patients.
Swedish has made meaningful progress in living our values of respect and inclusion, and we will continue to work to ensure a supportive and trusted environment for all caregivers and patients.
Recognizing the importance of these priorities, this year we established the Office of Health Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (OHEDI). OHEDI is leading our commitment to build a more diverse workforce and inclusive culture that empowers caregivers to deliver the best possible care and bring their authentic selves to Swedish.
Among the focus areas for this new office is our partnership with Kevin Wang, M.D., and the LGBTQI+ Initiative team to make sure Swedish is providing high-quality care to members of the LGBTQIA+ community and meeting their specific needs in a holistic way.
We are grateful for the leadership of Swedish’s LGBTQI+ Initiative and LGBTQI+ Caregiver Resource Group. This month they are leading several events to honor the LGBTQIA+ community’s history and importance and providing resources and learning opportunities for caregivers.
Recently Swedish caregivers and community members came together to raise Pride flags at all five of our hospital campuses. Originally designed in the 1970s by activists Harvey Milk and Gilbert Baker as a symbol for the gay community, today the flag is a true emblem of inclusion. We are proud to serve our patients and communities under a rainbow flag that reflects our organization’s values.
Build with us as we grow and reimagine inclusive healthcare. Join our LGBTQI+ Patient Advisory and Listening Sessions. For more information contact Peter Mann-King.
Related resources
Seattle Pride virtual LGBTQIA+ celebrations
Working toward more compassionate and inclusive care for the LGBTQIA+ community
