DEI Corner: Week of October 3

Celebrate Global Diversity Awareness Month

The roots of October’s designation as Global Diversity Awareness Month date back to the United Nations’ “Universal Declaration of Human Rights,” adopted in the wake of World War II, which marked the first global expression of the rights to which all human beings are entitled. The designation offers an opportunity to recognize and honor all the ways our different ethnicities, cultures, heritages, experiences and abilities help create a more dynamic and inclusive world community.

As part of the month-long recognition, the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion presents the inaugural Employee Resource Group (ERG) Symposium on October 7 from 10 a.m. to noon in the HMH Dunn Rio Grande conference room. Learn more about DEI initiatives across Houston Methodist and get updates on ERG activities and programs.

The symposium will include remarks by Houston Methodist President and CEO Marc Boom, MD, Houston Methodist Vice President and Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer Arianne Dowdell, JD, MA, Houston Methodist Manager, System Analytics, Sayali Kelkar, MPH, and guest speaker Shanta Eaden, MBA, PMP, CDP.

Click here to register. ERGs will host an information booth, so feel free to drop by and learn more about HM’s eight ERGs. A virtual option is available: Zoom Webinar – ID: 948 8362 2426 Passcode: ERG.

Other events scheduled during the month include:

“Global Diversity Asian Heritage Day.” (Oct. 20). Presented by the Asian Heritage ERG and the Houston Methodist Academic Institute (HMAI) at the Houston Methodist Research Institute’s Bookout Auditorium. For more information, contact Asianheritage@houstonmethodist.org.

“Fashion From Around the Globe Showcase” (Oct. 24-31). Houston Methodist will celebrate the global diversity of our community with fashion showcases at each hospital location. Email Theofficeofdei@houstonmethodist.org for details.

October Cultural Observations
Several cultural heritage/group observations will be recognized in October. Click the links below for more information:

• Filipino American History Month
• National Disability Employment Awareness Month
• Italian American Heritage and Culture Month
• Polish American Heritage Month
• German American Heritage Day (Oct. 6)
• World Mental Health Day (Oct. 10)