From the Gold to Platinum Rule: A Shift in Perspective

Addressing barriers for historically underserved communities has long been a passion of mine, since I started my career in the public health space nearly 25 years ago. My first job in public health was with the Area Health Education Centers program, where our mission was to help remove barriers for underserved communities to enter health professions.?I have kept this community focus in much of the work I have done, professionally and personally. I firmly believe we all have the right to live our best lives regardless of the circumstances to which we are born, live, work and age.

Recently, I had the honor of being selected by Spectrum Health’s senior leadership team to provide strategic oversite as the executive sponsor for Spectrum Health African Americans for Resources & Engagement (SHAARE), an inclusion resource group focused on providing career growth opportunities, improving health outcomes and education and fostering cultural awareness within Spectrum Health. I’m excited to grow, learn and collaborate with others throughout the Spectrum Health System through this opportunity, while taking steps toward creating a more equitable and inclusive community.

Ever since I was a child, I’ve admired leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr., who fought for equality and believed in non-violence. These leaders had grand visions for a better, more peaceful world that inspired others to also dream for more equitable and just societies. Each shared these ideas while igniting a spark in others to take action to improve the world around them. I was in awe of how much influence these leaders held, as they continued to be disruptors of social change. ?

Growing up, I was taught the value of peace. From an early age, my parents led by example, approaching conflict calmly and instilling in me the importance of living by the “Golden Rule” – treating others as you’d like to be treated, regardless of differences. As I got older, these values taught me to use my words to calmly; talk through and resolve disagreements and learn to recognize and respect the beliefs and opinions of others, especially when they differ from my own. I learned to embrace differences; stand up and speak up for what is right; hold others accountable, even when it is difficult to do so. I learned to give back and serve my community.

In recent years, I’ve recognized the greater importance of the “Platinum Rule”: Treating others as they want to be treated. Instead of making assumptions about how others want to interact, I’ve shifted toward having intentional conversations and being open to learning about how others are most comfortable showing up. I’ve grown to recognize how greatly our individual experiences shape us and I have been profoundly moved many times when hearing about the unique experiences of others.

One occasion that stands out occurred in June 2020. Following the death of George Floyd and as protests broke out across the country calling for racial justice and an end to police brutality, my former employer encouraged leadership to facilitate open conversations with team members to check in and see how they were doing. During these discussions, I was profoundly moved as I listened to the concerns, fears, and lived experiences of my associates. Many of them were scared for their children, spouses and loved ones. While I was aware of some of these concerns, I appreciated more deeply than ever how deeply seeded and pervasive these fears are, and that despite the progress our country has made, there is much, much more we have yet to traverse.

Listening to their stories, I knew that empathy wasn’t enough. As I watched the aftermath of the events unfold, I had a profound respect for each individual’s journey through shock, grief, outrage and many other emotions. I also recognized that we had entered a time of action; verbally showing support was not enough, and I felt there was more I could do to evoke positive change. I took steps at my former employer to create a training program for unconscious bias and initiate a new mentoring program. During my time with Priority Health, I’ve embedded feedback into our social determinants of health (SDoH) work and am excited to continue addressing bias and inequality in the health care industry through our work with SDoH, SHAARE, and much more.

Priority Health has a responsibility to fight for health equity for our members and our community. I have a responsibility to work toward equitable outcomes for the families we serve in my areas of influence. Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stands for so much more than recognizing people of color as equal – he stands for giving every person the support and resources they need to live healthy, fulfilling lives. I am committed to continue educating myself and taking action to make these visions a reality.?