MIT Medical team wins Excellence Award for diversity and inclusion
The seven members of MIT Medical’s Diversity Steering Committee have won an MIT Excellence Award for creating programs to open up understanding of, and appreciation for, diversity in the Department. The group -- Winnie Dansby, director of human resources; Debbie Friscino, director of operations; Rosie Huntress, senior administrative assistant; Annette Jacobs, executive director; Diane Magnuson, diversity and inclusion manager; Lisa Owens, chief radiologic technologist; and Leslie Patton, claims and member services administrator -- will receive their award on March 4 at noon in Kresge Theater.
The Diversity Steering Committee was formed two years ago after managers in MIT Medical learned that front-desk staff had been reluctant to report an incident involving a racial slur, and that similar incidents had occurred previously. When asked why they had not reported such incidents in the past, minority staff indicated they weren’t sure if they would be supported, that they felt nothing could be done, and that “that’s just how it is.”
A small group of concerned employees began talking to their coworkers, attending seminars, and doing research on what was happening in the MIT community regarding diversity and inclusion. Ultimately, a Diversity Committee of 15–20 members was formed, and rolled out numerous programs and ongoing projects including the Cultural Expo Fair, the “Let’s Talk” monthly discussion series, the Diversity Newsletter, and the Staff Rep program. The steering committee and others in the Department also participated in the Institute’s Diversity Leadership Congress in November 2008.
“People are learning how their backgrounds have shaped their attitudes and thoughts and how the backgrounds of others have shaped them and that, in fact, what we take for granted or as ‘the truth’ may be malleable. Patients, our peers in the MIT community, are being asked to speak to support staff and people of color with respect,” reads the nomination letter that the MIT Excellence Award Selection Committee received.
“We like to think of our workplace population as a constantly growing quilt made up of different colors, fabrics, and textures,” said Lisa Owens, speaking on behalf of the Diversity Steering Committee. “To maintain the quilt’s strength, the MIT Medical workplace of the future needs to be one where everyone feels valued, respected, and safe.”
The March 4 award ceremony will be broadcast live on MIT Cable channel 8, and Lincoln Laboratory employees may watch a simulcast in room S2-180. On February 11, Tech Talk announced all of this year’s Excellence Award winners.
Feb. 11, 2009
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