front row (left to right): Lisa M. Owens, Leslie A. Patton, Diane Magnuson,
middle row (left to right): Annette Jacobs, Winnie Dansby, Rosanna Huntress, Leslie A. Patton
back row (left to right): Terry Stone, Rafael Reif, Phil Clay, Claude Canizares
Annette Jacobs, Director of Human Resources Debbie Friscino, Director of Operations Rosanna Huntress, Senior Administrative Assistant Annette Jacobs, Executive Director Diane Magnuson, Diversity & Inclusion Manager Lisa M. Owens, Chief Radiologic Technologist Leslie A. Patton, Claims & Member Services Administrator
A group of individuals in the Medical Department united as a team after several of their colleagues were victims of a racial slur. When they discovered that this incident was not an isolated one, members of this spontaneous team first sought information and training for themselves; then they set out to educate the department and its client base in the MIT community.The MIT Medical Department’s Diversity and Inclusion Program has led to a code of conduct designed to hold staff and patients accountable for their behavior and language. Other fruits of this team’s labors include: a newsletter; a confidential staff Voice Box; and extensive training in communication styles, bystander awareness, and mediation.
At the first MIT Medical Cultural Expo Fair, staff educated one another about how to interact with people from various ethnic, racial, and cultural backgrounds. A lunchtime discussion series keeps conversation flowing in a free and open environment in which all are heard and respected.
This team has worked with compassion to transform a painful incident into lasting progress for their department; their efforts have created new bonds among colleagues and improved MIT Medical’s quality of care.
Please congratulate Winnie Dansby, Debbie Friscino, Rosanna Huntress, Annette Jacobs, Diane Magnuson, Leslie Patton, and Lisa Owens.