Pride Month was established to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall Riots, a major catalyst for the gay rights movement in the United States and around the globe. These times were particularly difficult for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans. Fast forward to 2022 and while there has been much needed change, there is still a need for continued progress. As an LGBTQ+ healthcare leader who grew up in the Northeast, and who is now settled in Texas, I am able to show up and work to make a difference.
We all have choices and I have chosen to create the change through education and advocacy. Leadership chose me through my mentors educating me on the attributes I had and the attributes I needed to continue to nurture. My formal leadership trajectory began 16 years ago, learning and evolving through each role. I have led through milestones of successes, failures and tragedies—all from which I have learned to be a better leader. I am listening, learning, reflecting and being intentional about my choices.
To become a stronger leader, I began to network through professional organizations in nursing and in healthcare. These networks have guided my knowledge, challenged my assumptions and given me the confidence to continue in leadership. My personal vision has been an evolution over the years—to uncover the leader in every nurse. Additionally, creating civil environments through operating in a just culture and advancing diversity, equity and inclusion are of the utmost importance.
This has been a challenging time for all leaders alike. The pandemic has changed the healthcare environment and further highlighted the need to improve health equity and access for all. Our current times continue to be fraught with social justice issues and racial violence across the nation. We must support one another to navigate this conversation, and advocate for laws to protect the innocent from assault weapons. Additionally, health equity is important to our transgender population to protect their options for gender-confirming care.
These topics are difficult to discuss, although as leaders we need to be open to having open dialogue with our colleagues and employees to generate ideas for solutions. Additionally, we must use data to assess inequities within our communities, so we can take targeted actions to strive toward improvements. I have had the opportunity to serve locally and nationally to advance the diversity, equity and inclusion agenda. ACHE has many colleague networks including our Partners in Diversity, including the LGBTQ+ Healthcare Leaders Community. These groups give healthcare leaders the resources to advance the work through collaborative learning and action.
James R. Allard, DNP, RN, FACHE, is vice president, nursing/CNO, Medical City Children’s/Medical City Women’s Hospitals, Dallas. He also serves as chair of ACHE’s LGBTQ+ Healthcare Leaders Community Committee.