DEI group

Now more than ever, conversation and more importantly, ACTION surrounding diversity, equity and inclusion is at the forefront of many organizations.

DEI pride tableHere at Kaleida Health, we take great pride in our keen focus on ACTION-building a staff rich in diversity within a culture of equity and inclusion.

Our goal is for Kaleida Health to be a model healthcare provider by valuing, fostering, and leveraging diversity and inclusion to advance the health of Western New York, within a work environment that is safe, inclusive, positive, and representative of our greater community. There are four main diversity, equity, inclusion goals, with a variety of initiatives relating to each of them to fulfill our mission and vision. Our roadmap to success is a living document, providing key milestones that serve as destinations for continually growth and inclusion.

DEI logo The Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) Department, led by the Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer with support from the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Executive Council, guides Kaleida Health on ways to promote diversity, equity, inclusion and engagement within our organization and the communities we serve.

A Leader in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality | Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion | Kaleida Health | Buffalo, New York

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Information

LGBTQ Healthcare EqualityAt Kaleida Health, we believe that all patients deserve respectful and compassionate health care, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. Like all patients, we recognize that LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning) individuals need high quality, culturally competent health care from providers who know, respect and understand them. They need providers who know their unique health risks and understand how to provide appropriate referrals and counseling.

Kaleida Health at the Pride Parade

Kaleida Health is committed to providing affirmative, sensitive and informed health care to the LGBTQ community. The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation named Kaleida Health and its hospitals High Performers in LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality. Kaleida Health is one of a select group of healthcare systems nationwide to receive this designation by the HRC Foundation. This honor is given to facilities that meet LGBTQ-inclusive benchmarks contained within the Healthcare Equality Index-a unique survey that evaluates inclusive policies and practices related to LGBTQ patients, visitors and employees. These policies include patient and employee non-discrimination, a guarantee of equal visitation for same-sex partners and parents, and LGBTQ health education for staff.

The HEI index has been maintained since 2016.

Our Promise to the LGBTQ Community

Kaleida Health at the Pride Parade Heart balloon

Nondiscrimination

As a Kaleida Health patient, LGBTQ individuals will be treated with the respect they deserve.

  • Kaleida Health’s Nondiscrimination policy 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.

Definition of Family

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.

Health Care Proxy

New York State residents have the right to appoint a health care agent of their choice-including a same-sex partner-with a Health Care Proxy document. A “health care agent” is an adult who 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.

Let us Know How We are Doing

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.

Helpful resources for LGBTQ patients

Diversity, Inclusion, Race, & Equity (DIRE) ERG

Sexual And Gender Equity (SAGE) ERG

Established in August 2020, the Diversity, Inclusion and Racial Equity (DIRE) ERG supports and brings awareness to race and ethnicity identifiers as it relates to the overall DEI strategy at Kaleida Health. The group serves as a resource to educate and inform staff and leadership of race and ethnicity issues impacting both workforce member and patient experiences, feelings of belonging, and health disparities for the communities we serve.

Since May 2021, the Sexual and Gender Equity (SAGE) ERG has worked to create an equitable, inclusive, and supportive environment for all workforce members regardless of one’s sexual orientation or gender identity. The group serves as a resource to educate and inform staff and leadership of 2SLGBTQIA+ issues impacting employee, provider, and patient experiences, feelings of belonging, and health disparities for the communities we serve.

Veterans Engaging Together (VET) ERG

Parents and Caregivers Engaging (PACE) ERG

The Veterans Engaging Together (VET) ERG — established in May 2021 — connects Kaleida Health workforce members who have prior military service and/or veteran status, current or former members of the armed forces, family members, and other military supporters to enable the exchange of ideas and shared experiences. The group highlights the unique perspective military personnel and veterans bring to the workforce which — through empowering and engaging employees and providers — can drive innovation within the health system.

The Parents and Caregivers Engaging (PACE) ERG was established in May 2021 to connect Kaleida Health workforce members who are working parents and/or caregivers and enable the exchange of supports, resources, ideas, and shared experiences. This group offers creative parenting/caregiver solutions to support retention and development for working parents/caregivers. We want to ensure working parents/caregivers have what they need to be well, work well, and have quality of life.

Kaleida Health Receives Second Consecutive Award for Purchasing Efforts to Support Supplier Diversity and Inclusion

Best Playbook of 2021 graphic

Congratulations to Kaleida Health’s Purchasing team, led by Michelle Fiebelkorn, director of strategic sourcing, who received the Supplier Sustainability 2021 Award from the Buffalo Purchasing Initiative.

Kaleida Health received the award for working closely with individual businesses to find opportunities, continue to expand those opportunities and mentor them through the process and challenges of growing alongside the organization.

To have a strong and inclusive regional economy with more businesses and jobs, it is essential to support local and diverse businesses and help them grow. Through our procurement and purchasing efforts, Kaleida Health can directly ensure job and economic opportunities for all people in the region. Kaleida Health helps create jobs and employment opportunities for residents within communities of color by increasing contracts and purchase orders for businesses owned by people of color. Businesses without access to large organizations like Kaleida Health have diminished opportunities to grow, scale and create local jobs.

Kaleida Health also collaborates with other large employers in the region to explore strategies and share resources to make purchasing efforts more inclusive.

Organizations in our region must work together to deliberately increase opportunities for local businesses owned by people of color to work with us. This starts with better understanding of our spending, as well as opportunities and obstacles to working with businesses owned by people of color. By doing this, Kaleida Health is improving access for these businesses and providing an opportunity for us to have meaningful connections with communities of color.