BDHEA’s Board Diversification & Inclusion Project looks to "ensure that those who deeply understand and represent the needs of their communities have a crucial voice in shaping the policies and practices of these essential healthcare institutions," the release said.
For example, the organization points to National Association of Community Health Centers data showing 22% of the more than 30 million patients served by community health centers in 2020 were Black. Like public hospitals, community health centers care for underserved populations regardless of ability to pay, the release said.
"Our duty as healthcare board members extends beyond oversight; it's a commitment to the heart of care," BDHEA Board Chair Caretha Coleman said in the release. "This grant empowers our shepherds of health equity to forge a path toward justice, ensuring that those facing the harshest conditions and barriers find high-quality, equitable care."
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Founded in 2020, the alliance's partners include health systems Advocate Health and CommonSpirit Health.
The three-year funding will allow BDHEA to expand its health equity toolkit, which includes two guides for board directors that were developed between the organization and Deloitte Consulting's Health Equity Institute.
The new playbook, which will include development help from Deloitte, will be disseminated to healthcare leaders at conferences, webinars, roundtable discussions and other education forums, the release said.
"Representation matters, and it is crucial to ensure diverse voices are heard in boardrooms across the healthcare sector," BDHEA Executive Director Deborah Phillips said in the release. "Our work extends beyond representation and invites diverse perspectives and ideas to identify critical health equity solutions."
This story first appeared in Crain's Chicago Business.
