At Kaleida Health, we take pride in building a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve while fostering a culture where engagement and inclusion are valued and practiced every day.
Our goal is to advance the health of our community by creating awareness of the engagement and inclusion work ingrained in all we do. Our roadmap to success is a living document that outlines key milestones and initiatives designed to support continuous growth, engagement and inclusion. Through courage, accountability and the practice of our CARE values, we aim to strengthen relationships with our patients, colleagues and the broader community.
The Engagement and Inclusion Department guides Kaleida Health on ways to promote diversity, equity, inclusion and engagement within our organization and the communities we serve.
Why Choose Kaleida Health for Inclusive Care?
At Kaleida Health, we believe that all patients deserve respectful and compassionate health care, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. We also recognize that 2SLGBTQIA+ (2-spirit, lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual) individuals need high-quality, culturally competent health care from providers who know, respect and understand them. At Kaleida Health, our patients benefit from:
Kaleida Health’s comprehensive nondiscrimination policy, which is inclusive of sexual orientation and gender identity expression. Kaleida Health’s visitation policy grants same-sex couples and parents the same access as different-sex couples and parents.
Providers who know patients’ unique health risks and understand how to provide appropriate referrals and counseling.
Kaleida Health’s designation as a High Performers in 2SLGBTQIA+ Healthcare Equality by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation.
A wide variety of specialties spanning locations across Western New York.
How does Kaleida Health Engage Employees in Engagement and Inclusion?
Kaleida Health’s Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) play a vital role in building a more inclusive workplace and ensuring equity for all employees and providers. ERG membership is open to all Kaleida Health workforce members to join at any time throughout the year.
ERGs are voluntary, employee- and provider-led groups dedicated to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace. These groups are comprised of employees and providers who share or support a specific diversity identifier, with the shared goal of fostering a sense of belonging and improving workforce and patient experience.
- Open and honest communication (get comfortable with being uncomfortable).
- Take space and make space (call attention to the unheard voices of people, ensuring that all individuals have space to fully participate).
- Be brave, be inclusive (acknowledge the risk speakers take, and value the privilege to learn from one another; our values, cultural identities and personal experiences matter).
- Use “I” statements (own your unique experiences and refrain from speaking in generalizations (i.e., “we” and “they”)).
- Be conscious of body language and non-verbal responses (be mindful of this for yourself and others).
- Expect and accept non-closure (you may have thoughts and feelings that go unresolved today and will be a part of your ongoing learning journey).
- Intent and impact (acknowledge and take responsibility for the impact of your words and actions).
The Diversity, Inclusion and Racial Equity (DIRE) Employee Resource Group, established in August 2020, supports Kaleida Health’s commitment to advancing DEI across the organization. The DIRE ERG serves as a trusted resource for employees and leadership, raising awareness of race and ethnicity-related issues that impact the workplace and broader community.
The Sexual and Gender Equity (SAGE) ERG, established in May 2021, exists to create a more equitable, inclusive and supportive environment for all Kaleida Health workforce members regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. The SAGE ERG serves as a resource to educate workforce members and leadership on 2SLGBTQIA+ issues that impact employee well-being, patient care and health equity.
The Veterans Engaging Together (VET) ERG, established in May 2021, connects Kaleida Health workforce members with military or veteran status, their families and supporters to foster the exchange of ideas and shared experiences. The VET ERG leverages the unique perspectives and strengths of veterans to empower workforce members, enhance collaboration and drive innovation throughout the organization.
The Parents and Caregivers Engaging (PACE) ERG, established in May 2021, supports Kaleida Health workforce members who are balancing professional responsibilities with parenting or caregiving roles.
The PACE ERG fosters connection through shared experiences, resources and peer support, while advocating for practical solutions that promote work-life balance, mental health support and different care models.
How does Kaleida Health Build Equity in the Community?
Supporting the health of our community goes beyond patient care. That’s why Kaleida Health is proud to be an active participant in the Buffalo Purchasing Initiative (BPI). The BPI was developed to create a convening resource for Buffalo’s large employers to explore strategies and share resources to expand purchasing opportunities with local businesses owned by people of color.
Formed in 2019 by the Business Leaders Task Force, the BPI strives to collectively achieve the following goals:
- Leverage collective demand to advance economic inclusion in the Buffalo region.
- Help create jobs and employment opportunities for residents within communities of color.
- Build community and capacity around inclusive procurement practices.
- Expand purchasing opportunities with local businesses owned by people of color.
- Serve as ambassadors of economic inclusion with peers.
Since the pilot of the BPI, participating businesses have reported a 100% increase in average annual spend with businesses of color in Western New York. In addition, they have nearly tripled the number of business relationships with local businesses owned by people of color.
In 2025, Kaleida Health was proud to support over 22 diverse businesses with over $120,000.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Kaleida Health defines family as two or more people who are related biologically, legally or emotionally. Same-sex partners are recognized as the patient’s family even if the partners are not legally married.
New York State residents have the right to appoint a healthcare agent of their choice—including a same-sex partner—with a Health Care Proxy document. A “healthcare agent” is an adult you have chosen to make decisions about your health care when you cannot do so. This person is also known as a health care proxy.
If you feel that you are not being treated with respect and dignity or if your needs are not being met at any point during your care, please tell us immediately so that we can correct the situation and improve our services to you.
Email us at kaleidalgbtqinfo@kaleidahealth.org, or call us anonymously at our Compliance Hotline (833) 990-0040 or our Civil Rights Hotline (716) 859-8020.
Resources
- Ten Things Lesbians Should Discuss with their Healthcare Provider Read More
- Ten Things Gay Men Should Discuss with their Healthcare Provider Read More
- Ten Things Bisexuals Should Discuss with Their Healthcare Provider Read More
- Ten Things Transgender Persons Should Discuss with their Health Care Providers Read More
- American Cancer Society: Cancer Facts for Lesbians and Bisexual Women Read More
- American Cancer Society: Cancer Facts for Gay and Bisexual Men Read More
- A Guide for LGBTQ+ Patients and Families Read More
- Your First Step – A guide that covers unique aspects of Mental Health treatment for LGBTQ+ people Read More
- Live Another Day - A great collection of Addiction & Mental Health resources for QTBIPOC people (Queer and Trans, Black, Indigenous, and People Of Color) Read More
- Detox Local – Addiction & Mental Health resource for QTAAPI folks (Queer and Trans, Asian American and Pacific Islander) Read More
Connect with our Engagement and Inclusion team
Whether you are a patient with a question or a community member who wants to learn more about our inclusion work, we want to hear from you. Email kaleidalgbtqinfo@kaleidahealth.org, or call our Compliance Hotline at (833) 990-0040 or Civil Rights Hotline at (716) 859-8020.