Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Improving the Patient Experience (PX) for Everyone!

We are all human. We all deserve to be treated as such. And every additional human experience adds value to our organization, as well as to us as individuals. The VA is dedicated to this mission. We are dedicated to the enhancements in creativity, problem solving, and innovations that diversity provides. We are dedicated to the experience of our workforce, and we are dedicated to the experience of our Veterans and their families. The EEO department oversee DE&I daily within its programs. Check out some of these programs, below. 

EEO

Equal Employment Opportunity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EEODI) is dedicated to fully implementing the policies, statutes, and laws that are designed to value and protect each employee and create an environment where all employees may work without fear of discrimination, harassment, or reprisal. The result will be an equitable, inclusive, and empowered workforce which is treated with respect and dignity throughout the Marion VA HealthCare Facility. EEODI will promptly address allegations of discrimination by:

• Ensuring implementation of laws, regulations, and policies provide equal employment opportunity for employees, applicants for employment, and former employee to prohibit discrimination due to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age (40 or older), disability, retaliation/reprisal for protected activity, or Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA).
• Continually explaining patterns and new trends to managers and supervisors and encouraging their collaborative efforts towards resolution via mediation.
• Creating opportunities for all parties to promptly resolve issues at the facility level creating trust, teamwork, and effective communication within the facility.

Minority Veteran

VA takes pride in the diversity of the Veteran community. Diversity is a positive influence that Veterans bring with them into the community, the workplace, and into our VA facilities. Marion VA’s goal is to provide an inclusive, welcoming environment for all Veterans. Minority Veteran Coordinator conduct outreach ensuring our Veterans that our providers and staff are racially and ethnically diverse. They’re also trained in delivering culturally competent care to Veterans of different backgrounds. At the Marion VA we as a team know the importance of continuously building strong relationships and trust with all Veterans, but we show our Minority groups that we are here for them as well. VA does not accept discrimination against or harassment of any Veteran at any level or at any facility within VA, especially the Marion VA HealthCare Center. We promote an inclusive environment for all Veterans. Marion VA also host events to assist with hirings of individuals from all backgrounds.

Special Emphasis Program

Special Emphasis Programs (SEP) were established in the Federal Government to remove barriers to equal employment opportunity for groups that were traditionally not represented or subjected to discrimination in the workforce. Special Emphasis Programs were established to provide equal opportunity in employment to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability, or age, establishing a Coordinated Government-wide Initiative to Promote Diversity and Inclusion in the Federal Workforce. Special Emphasis Programs are an integral part of the Equal Employment Opportunity and Civil Rights Program. Their purpose is to ensure that agencies take affirmative steps to provide equal opportunity to everyone in all areas of employment and eliminate discriminatory practices and policies. Through various initiatives, the programs address the unique concerns of specific groups in achieving diversity, inclusion, and equality of opportunity in recruitment, hiring, development, training, and advancement. Once a month Marion VA celebrate, showcase, and bring awareness to that heritage for all VA employees and Veterans to also gain knowledge and understanding of that heritage as well!!! Below is a list of the heritages that currently fall under the SEPM program:

1.         Black/African American Program Manager (MLK/Juneteenth)

2.         Federal Employee Women Program Manager

3.         Arab American Program Manager

4.         Asian American/Pacific Islander Program Manager

5.         LGBTQ/Transgender Program Manager

6.         Latino/Hispanic Program Manager

7.         Disabilities Employment Program Manager

8.         Indian/Alaskan Native American Program Manager

To find out more about our programs, and our commitment to progress and diversity, please contact Patricia McPhail at (618)997-5311 ext. 155041