Dartmouth Health members join Upper Valley employers’ commitment to foster more diverse and inclusive workplaces

Several Dartmouth Health members join a group of 18 Upper Valley employers to publicly commit to working together to foster diverse and inclusive communities and workplaces.

Titled “A Commitment to Inclusion and Belonging from the Upper Valley’s Major Employers,” the statement was drafted by a discussion group on diversity, equity, and inclusion that was initiated by Vital Communities’ Corporate Council. The Corporate Council brings together representatives of Upper Valley employers to discuss issues of importance to them and their employees. The discussion group has met regularly to “consider the ways in which we can work together to improve the quality of life in our communities for our increasingly diverse workforce…prompted by a recognition that each of us has been working within our organizations to create environments where everyone is welcome and feels a sense of belonging.”

Read the full statement at: vitalcommunities.org/commitment-to-inclusion-and-belonging/

In the statement, the group commits to:

 ● Providing resources to diversity, equity, and inclusion education, research, and reform within both their organizations and communities;

● Developing and implementing strategies that confront, challenge, and dismantle systemic inequities; and,

● Being present at and sponsoring events that honor and celebrate members of their diverse communities.

“As the largest healthcare system in the Upper Valley and New Hampshire overall, Dartmouth Health has a responsibility to help integrate diversity and inclusion efforts within our community,” said Teresa Dean Malcolm, MD, Dartmouth Health’s vice president of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. “We stand in a pivotal space between who we are and who we aspire to be. I want to acknowledge the shared vision of our member sites in creating a more equitable and inclusive environment for our patients and employees. I am delighted Dartmouth Health is working with other companies to provide support and resources and foster a culture of belonging. Practicing inclusive excellence to promote appreciation for diversity is a challenge that we accept.”

Employers who signed the statement are Co-Op Food Stores, Dartmouth College , Dartmouth Health (Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center, New London Hospital, and Visiting Nurse and Hospice for Vermont and New Hampshire), Dartmouth Regional Technology Center, Hypertherm, Kendal at Hanover, King Arthur Baking, Ledyard National Bank, Mascoma Bank, NH Center for Nonprofits, Red River, Simon Pearce, Upper Valley Business Alliance, and Vermont Law and Graduate School.