Global Diversity Awareness Month: Walter Reed hospital celebrates diversity in health care

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Brett Walker | Capt. Herbert Griffin, left, chief of pastoral care at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC), passes a slice of cake to Hospital Corpsman Apprentice Paige Zimmer-Duncan, center, assigned to WRNMMC, during a U.S. Navy 247th Birthday Ceremony in Memorial Auditorium at WRNMMC in Bethesda, Maryland, Oct. 13, 2022. Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command, Bethesda, hosted the ceremony with Capt. Kelly Elmore, WRNMMCs chief of staff, as the guest speaker. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Brett Walker)  

BETHESDA, MD, UNITED STATES

10.31.2022

Story by Alpha Kamara 

Walter Reed National Military Medical Center

Global Diversity Awareness Month: Walter Reed hospital celebrates diversity in health care

By Alpha Kamara-Office of Command Communications

Walter Reed National Military Medical Center’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer, Maia Magder, said Global Diversity Awareness Month provides an opportunity for WRNMMC to celebrate its diverse staff and their contributions to WRNMMC’s designation as the flagship of military medicine.

Every October, Global Diversity Awareness Month is observed world-wide as a reminder of the positive impact a diverse workforce can have on society.
Magder notes that WRNMMC prides itself in its diversity to support military medicine and provide for its diverse patients and other beneficiaries including active-duty service members, veterans, and their families.
“Diversity and inclusion are key pillars of WRNMMC’s leadership. They have a direct impact on health care equity because it’s a best practice. We pride ourselves in the commitment to global identity of staff members which is key to the institution. The staff at Walter Reed hospital is a global and diverse population,” she said.

Diversity in health care

Magder also adds that it can be important for patients to see medical professionals who share similar backgrounds. “Patients feel represented more when they are being treated by people that look like them and can speak the language they understand. It contributes greatly to the healing process. This practice is key in our leadership plan,” she noted.

With a goal of providing the best health care, Magder shared that it’s a plus to recognize and celebrate the differences of each staff member to achieve the bigger goal.
“The idea is to celebrate each other’s differences to support the focus of our mission to optimize the health, safety, and readiness of our patients.”

“One does not need to hide their identity to do their job. We celebrate them as they are for their talents, their contributions and what they bring to the table. That unique aspect of our team makes us the best,” she added.

• Date Taken: 10.31.2022
• Date Posted: 10.31.2022 09:55
• Story ID: 432303
• Location: BETHESDA, MD, US