Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) focus on four pillars that ensure all staff members and service members experience a sense of belonging, and give and receive care that allows everyone to bring their ‘whole selves’ to the organization. WRNMMC does this through programs and events, education, communication, and recruitment, retention, and promotion of minoritized or underserved populations.
DEI Mission
WRNMMC creates and supports a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where our employees can bring their authentic selves to deliver innovative, patient-centered care to service members and their families.
DEI Vision
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion practices will be integrated into and felt by every member of the WRNMMC community-- leadership, health care providers, staff members, and patients. WRNMMC will eliminate prejudice, bias, and ensure health equity for all.
Below are the four pillars:
1. Programs and Events
The Programs and Events pillar ensures that voices that have been historically marginalized be amplified at WRNMMC with experiential activities. WRNMMC honors all Federal Observances, and staff members and service members are encouraged to share in cultural celebrations. Previous events include panel interviews and guest speakers, concerts, dance classes, cuisine from around the world, the Black History Heritage Trail, art exhibits, and documentary films.
2. DEI Education
The Education pillar supports practitioners and staff members to create learning communities, and use DEI principles actively and consistently to do their jobs. DEI Education offers multiple, ongoing seminars held throughout the year that create DEI informed leadership, health care practitioners, and staff members. The National Intrepid Center of Excellence at WRNMMC hosts a seminar series that has included topics such as Implicit Bias, Microaggressions, and the Language of Diversity. Participants learned in an in-person, small group setting to encourage psychological safety, honest conversations, and accountability.
3. Comprehensive Communication Strategy
The Communication pillar provides outward and inward facing messaging that we are an organization principled in DEI. We broadcast the WRNMMC’s commitment to diversity through website and Intranet presence, social media content, notices of observances, and proclamations throughout WRNMMC.
4. Recruitment, Retention, and Promotion
The final pillar of DEI initiatives at WRNMMC is the recruitment, retention, and promotion of minoritized individuals. Embedded in WRNMMC’s framework are mentorship, innovative best-practice recruiting, and clear, equitable promotion tracks.