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LGBTQ Forum Chair
Dan Gentry, PhD
ACHE LGBTQ Forum Chairman
Greetings, Fellow LGBTQ Forum Members, and Happy 2020!
As I write my last column as your Chair for 2019–2020, I’ve been pondering progress, thresholds and impact on diversity, equity and inclusion. As I mentioned in my most recent column, I’ve grown increasingly enthusiastic about both the short- and long-term future for DEI in healthcare management and leadership, healthcare delivery and health.
Why? Currently, I see healthcare organizations prioritizing strategic, operationalized, realized, and sustainable efforts and impact for DEI. These priorities and initiatives include appointments of chief diversity officers; DEI as one of the top three most critical strategic initiatives; systematic integration of DEI into orientation, training and professional development programs; DEI as a first principle for patient safety, the patient experience and quality of work-life balance and joy in work for staff; and DEI as core competencies in our medicine, nursing, health administration, pharmacy and allied health educational programs.
These efforts in practice and education align well and provide great potential partnerships and synergies with our efforts as part of ACHE’s Better Together Collaborative: National Association of Health Services Executives, National Association of Latino Healthcare Executives, Institute for Diversity and Health Equity, the Asian Healthcare Leaders Forum and the LGBTQ Forum. After several years of exploration, discussion and prioritization, this coalition is preparing to “put its stake in the ground” on an initiative that will truly make a difference in healthcare leadership and management at all levels—executive and board, senior management, mid-careerists, early careerists, and the pipeline of graduate and undergraduate students. Very exciting! We are better together, stronger together and we will be more successful in our efforts together. If you plan to attend the 2020 Congress, March 23–26, there will be an opportunity to hear more about the working draft of the Better Together Collaborative.
It has been my pleasure to serve as Chair of our LGBTQ Forum for 2019–2020. I want to thank our committee members for their engagement, enthusiasm and contributions to our efforts. And I want to thank ACHE leadership, staff and volunteers for their fantastic work with us and for us. In particular, I’d like to thank Deborah J. Bowen, FACHE, CAE, ACHE’s president/CEO, for her vision and commitment to the cause; Cie Armstead for her inspiring leadership of ACHE’s diversity and inclusion initiatives; and Stephan Davis, DNP, FACHE, for his incredible talent and energy and for supporting me as Chair this past year.
Warmest regards,
Dan Gentry, PhD, MHA
ACHE LGBTQ Forum Executive Profile
Tyrone Pender, MHSA
Senior COE Manager
Children’s National Hospital
Washington, D.C.
Q. What inspired you to pursue a career in healthcare administration?
A. Growing up in poverty in the United States, I knew early in my childhood that I wanted to do something meaningful with my life, which is why I chose a career in healthcare. My initial career goal was to be more involved with direct patient care to ensure all patients received protection, support and appropriate care. After 12 years of working together with clinicians, patients and families, I decided to pursue a career in healthcare administration to make a larger impact on the healthcare delivery system. As a healthcare leader, I am honored to have the opportunity to contribute to improving the quality and value of healthcare.
Q. What have been the hallmarks of your career in healthcare leadership?
A. Over the last 19 years, I have had the pleasure of working in various fields of the healthcare industry. My first introduction to healthcare leadership was during my time serving as a session assistant II to the chief of leukemia and practicing oncologists at Memorial Sloan Cancer Center. In this role, I was responsible for the mentorship of all new session assistants, providing them with professional development support and counseling on improving the patient experience. During my career, I have served as a radiology assistant, session assistant, program lead, program manager and practice manager. I am currently the senior COE manager at Children’s National Hospital, where I am responsible for the operational success of the Cardiology, Cardiac Critical Care, Cardiac Anesthesia and Cardiovascular Surgery Divisions.
Q. Do you believe that being a member of the LGBTQ community or an LGBTQ champion affects career advancement for healthcare leaders?
A. I believe stereotypes, especially those that are unconscious, affect hiring the right person for the right position. However, being an open member of the LGBTQ community has helped me reduce the impact of negative stereotypes toward individuals of our community. It’s essential we educate organizational leaders that no matter the sexual orientation, race, religious belief or social status a person identifies as, we are all human in this fight together to improve healthcare. I am fortunate to work for an organization with a culture that supports diversity and inclusion. I have one goal, and that is to touch as many lives as possible.
Q. What would be your advice to LGBTQ individuals pursuing careers in healthcare management?
A. There’s something in all of us that makes us want to be in healthcare, and everyone we touch has a different story. My advice to LGBTQ individuals pursuing a career in healthcare management is to be transparent and share their stories. The best thing you can give someone is sharing your knowledge, expertise and experience. You can never go wrong with creating a culture centered on openness. Being transparent has helped me create a safe and trusting work environment for my team, where they feel protected and supported.
Finally, be a strong role model to guide future healthcare leaders, and don’t allow something or someone to stop you from achieving success.
Q. Why did you decide to join ACHE LGBTQ Forum, and what do you feel is the value added by this group?
A. I was excited to learn ACHE has an LGBTQ Forum. I am a new member of this group, and I believe this is a great networking opportunity to learn from other healthcare leaders through a different lens to help improve challenges facing the healthcare industry. Learning new ideas of doing things and providing service differently, not only to patients but also to everyone I encounter, will help me become a better leader.
LGBTQ Forum Organizational Profile
Q. How has your organization created an inclusive environment for patients?
A. Jackson Health System provides world-class care that is sensitive to the concerns of the LGBTQ community. For eight years, the health system has been named a “Leader in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality.” Jackson is one of a select group of healthcare systems nationwide to receive this recognition from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. We are always striving to:
- Ensure access to culturally competent treatment and prevention services.
- Address mental and medical disorders with expert behavioral health services that are specific to LGBTQ patients’ needs.
- Educate the LGBTQ community on important healthcare issues and initiatives through community engagement and outreach.
- Enhance special programs, like the South Florida AIDS Network, which provides client advocacy/case management and related support services to people with HIV/AIDS.
Additionally, the health system has several policies and procedures in place to accommodate LGBTQ families, including:
- An all-inclusive visitation and nondiscrimination policy.
- An electronic health record that offers a way to explicitly capture gender identity at birth and current gender identity, sexual orientation and diverse family structures, such as same-sex parents.
Q. How has the organization engaged LGBTQ patients and/or the local LGBTQ community?
A. Every year, Jackson Health System participates in or supports several LGBTQ-related events throughout Miami-Dade County, including sponsoring the annual Miami Gay Pride event, where thousands of attendees spend valuable time engaging with our community outreach ambassadors so they learn about the services Jackson provides. Along with Miami Gay Pride, Jackson also provides informational booths for events organized by South Florida LGBTQ organizations throughout the community, including the Miami-Dade Gay/Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, Pridelines and the Aqua Foundation.
Q. How has the organization advanced inclusion for healthcare professionals and leaders?
A. Maintaining a diverse workforce is a top priority for Jackson because it facilitates our employees’ ability to effectively communicate and build relationships with our patients, patients’ loved ones, each other and our community at large. The health system is committed to the principles of equity, fairness and respect for all people. As part of this commitment, Jackson actively values diversity in the workplace and provides equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, sex, gender identity, gender expression or sexual orientation. Additionally, Jackson offers employees a robust benefits package, which includes FMLA-equivalent benefits that allow staff to take family and medical leave to care for unmarried same-sex partners and the children of unmarried same-sex domestic partners, regardless of biological or adoptive status.
Congratulations!
LGBTQ Forum Chair Daniel Gentry, PhD, MHA, is the new president/CEO of Association of University Programs in Health Administration. He most recently served as professor and MHA program director of University of Iowa College of Public Health. He will begin his new role at AUPHA on March 16. Congratulations, Dan!
Upcoming ACHE Diversity and Inclusion Events
Congress on Healthcare Leadership
March 23–26, 2020
Sunday, March 22
“Better Together” Joint Diversity and Inclusion Reception
5:30–7:00 p.m.
Monday, March 23
18X—2020 Vision: Clearly Seeing the Connection Between Health Equity and C-Suite Diversity
Presented by ACHE’s Better Together Collaborative
(featuring panelist Robert S. Chaloner, FACHE, a member of the LGBTQ Forum Committee)
10:00–11:30 a.m.
19—Women Physician Leadership: Strategies for Success
2:15–5:30 p.m.
32X—Diversity and Inclusion: A Pragmatic Organizational Framework for Achieving Health Equity
4:15–5:45 p.m.
Tuesday, March 24
56—Diversity Candidates Journeys to the C-Suite: A Practical Approach
8:45 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
LGBTQ Forum Business & Informational Meeting (Open to All)
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Masters Series Session 4: Masters of Health Equity
2:15–3:45 p.m.
59H—The Business Case for Diversity
2:15–3:15 p.m.
Wednesday, March 25
Thomas C. Dolan Diversity Address and Breakfast
“The Role of Health Systems in Advancing Equity”
7:00–8:30 a.m.
105A or B—Best Practices in LGBTQ+ Inclusion: Lessons Learned From Leaders in Healthcare Equality (presented by LGBTQ Forum Committee Members, Stephan Davis, DNP, FACHE, and Kenneth R. White, PhD, RN, FACHE)
10:45 a.m.–12:15 p.m. (Session A)
2:15–3:45 p.m. (Session B)
Thursday, March 26
138X—Using Diversity and Inclusion Models to Improve Access to Healthcare for the Aging and Persons With Disabilities
10:45 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
Refer New Members and Be Rewarded
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2019-2020 Committee Members
Chair
Daniel Gentry, PhD
President/CEO
Association of University Programs in Health Administration
Washington, D.C.
Leslie E. Burnside, FACHE
System VP of Network Affiliations & Development
UNC Health Care
Chapel Hill, N.C.
Timothy M. Carrigan, PhD, RN, FACHE
Rush University Medical Center
Chief Administrative Officer
Chicago
Robert S. Chaloner, FACHE
(Immediate Past Chairman)
Chief Administrative Officer
Stony Brook Southampton Hospital
Southampton, N.Y.
Stephan Davis, DNP, FACHE
Founder/Principal
Illuminant
Atlanta
Amir Farooqi, FACHE
Interim Medical Center Director
Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System (CAVHCS)
Montgomery, Ala.
LTC Charlotte L. Hildebrand, PhD, FACHE
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army
San Antonio
Jake P. Reyna-Casanova
Senior Development Associate
CommuniCare Health Centers
San Antonio
Amanda S. Tufano
CEO
Genevive
Minneapolis, Minn.
2019–2020 Chapter Liaisons to LGBTQ Forum Committee
Chicago Health Executives Forum
Christopher M. Nolan
Manager, Community Benefit and Population Health
Rush University Medical Center
Chicago
Health Care Executives of Southern California
Jonathan W. Prins, RN, MHA, FACHE
Director of Clinical Operations
Cedars Sinai Medical Core Foundation
Los Angeles
STAFF CONTACT
Cie Armstead
Director of Diversity and Inclusion
American College of Healthcare Executives
300 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 1900
Chicago, IL 60606
(312) 424-9306
carmstead@ache.org
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Career Management Network
Tell a Colleague About the LGBTQ Forum
As one of the nearly 200 members of ACHE’s LGBTQ Forum, you have helped to create a vibrant community of LGBTQ healthcare leaders and allies exchanging ideas to further your career and advance the forum’s mission. Now continue the growth of the forum and expand its diversity by encouraging your fellow ACHE colleagues to join the LGBTQ Forum. Invite them to join today at ache.org/LGBTQ.
Please note that any views or opinions presented in this online newsletter are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of ACHE.