Methodist Executives Sign DEI Pledge, Celebrate Growth of Employee Resource Groups

Methodist Health System executives recently gathered with department leaders and members of Methodist Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) to sign an executive pledge for diversity, equity and inclusion.

Attendees also celebrated the approval of Methodist ERG charters and got a first look at new branding for existing ERGs.

“ERGs are a powerful vehicle for promoting diversity, innovation and engagement,” said Paula Pittman, vice president of human resources. “They can drive positive change not only within our walls but also in the communities we serve. Our leadership team is thrilled to be supporting employees in this way.”

Speakers at the event included CJ Jensen, Methodist’s Culture and Inclusion manager; Bill Vobejda, executive sponsor of the Methodist Emerging Professionals ERG; Shanna Stofer, executive sponsor of the Military ERG; and Jenae Gatzemeyer, speaking on behalf of Deb Carlson, executive sponsor for the SHINE (LGBTQIA+) ERG.

Methodist DEI Pledge

The text of the DEI pledge signed by Methodist executives:

At Methodist Health System, we understand that diversity, equity and inclusion are fundamental to our success and essential in positively impacting the health and lives of everyone we serve. We understand that it’s our responsibility to foster an environment where every employee feels valued, respected and empowered to be themselves at work.

Therefore, I pledge to uphold the following commitments built upon The Meaning of Care:

Care: I will lead with courage and advocate for others to create a workplace culture where individuals can thrive and be authentic and true to themselves.

Education: I will invest in continuous learning initiatives to educate myself, my team and our organization on diversity, equity and inclusion.

Innovation: I will seek out and cultivate the diverse perspectives, experiences and talents that are crucial to driving innovation, creativity and growth.

By signing this pledge, I invite others to hold us accountable. I welcome the opportunity to grow. I commit to leading by example and setting the tone for a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace. I believe that by embracing diversity, equity and inclusion, we’ll not only enhance our organization's performance but also contribute positively to the communities we serve.

More Information

ERGs allow Methodist employees to:

• Build their network across the enterprise and cultivate genuine relationships.
• Attend professional development programming facilitated by subject matter experts.
• Elevate their cultural intelligence by attending events and celebrations, and volunteering.
• Create a sense of belonging that will assist our system in retaining top talent.

Interested in learning more or joining or starting an ERG? Click here.