Speaker
Description
Trillium Health Partners’ (THP) Invitation to Leadership Program (ITL) is designed to support
highly motivated individuals build their leadership capabilities through targeted
professional development. The program offers a structured pathway for growth, combining
formal leadership training with dedicated mentorship to enhance participant learning.
The ITL program underwent a transformative shift following a 2022 Anti-Black Racism
Climate Review led by an external equity expert, which revealed pervasive impact of antiBlack racism, highlighting instances of disempowerment, exclusion and harm experienced
by many within the organization. The review prompted changes to practices in selecting,
recruiting, and developing new leaders at THP.
The ITL program, historically showed very little diversity in terms of race, role, gender and
sexual orientation. Representation from equity deserving groups was missing among the
ITL participants, mentors and selection committee. Generally, only 1-2 visible minorities
participated in the program for each cohort. Recommendations emphasizing equity,
diversity and inclusion were successfully implemented, resulting in a dramatic shift in the
application and selection processes along with the curriculum design and delivery.
To raise awareness, changes to the ITL program was promoted across several different
THP platforms with a particular focus amongst individuals from diverse roles, cultures, and
races. As a result, a 30% increase in ITL applications was realized. Further, an optional
self-report of demographic data was built into the application and selection process. It
was the first time data metrics included race, gender and sexual orientation evaluation. A
significant increase was noted in equity deserving groups participating in the 2023 ITL
cohorts including 24% Black, 44% Asian, 12% Mixed Race, 4% White and 16% Other, as
self-reported by participants.
These equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives aimed to dismantle barriers, enabling
formal leaders to mentor, coach and guide mentees while drawing from their own lived
experiences and overcoming challenges.
Author(s) Credentials and Title
Desa Dlugosz, RN, BScN, MN Professional Practice, Workforce Planning & Transition to Practice
Dr. Charissa Cordon, RN, MN EdD, CHE, Director Professional Practice & Clinical Resource Team
Jay Naik, BA, CHRL, CHRP, CHRM, MCPM, ZIN, Director of Learning & Organizational Development
Jayshree Joshi, BSc, CHRL, Manager Learning & Organizational Development
Parm Chohan, MCM, Consultant Learning & Organizational Development
Wendy Campbell, BScPT, MEd. Manager, Professional Practice – Interprofessional Scholarly Development
Keywords
leadership, equity, diversity, inclusion
What RNAO BPG or tool/toolkit is this work related to:
Promoting 2SLGBTQI+ Health Equity Best Practice Guidelines
Leading Change Toolkit
| Organization Name | Trillium Health Partners |
|---|
