Recognizing Ovell Barbee and our DEI team

Diverse experiences and perspectives make us better. They make us better as individuals, they make our organizations better, and they make our communities better. Over the past few years, the need to take action to address both health equity and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) has been magnified. And as a result, Spectrum Health has strengthened our commitment to DEI and health equity for our team members and our communities. We are grateful for our team of dedicated leaders and experts, as well as our community partners, who continue to collaborate and implement this important work. In particular, Ovell Barbee, our system chief diversity officer, has been instrumental in developing and leading our DEI strategy.?

This is why it is bittersweet to share that Ovell is departing Spectrum Health and Grand Rapids later this month to become the chief human resources officer at Indiana University Health. I am very proud of the impact and progress Ovell and his team have made in the past few years. I am also excited for him as he embarks on this next chapter with new professional challenges. I wish Ovell well in his new adventure!?

When Ovell became chief diversity officer for Spectrum Health in 2019, he courageously stepped into a position with a lot of unknowns. Living our values of compassion, collaboration, curiosity and courage, he listened and connected with team members throughout the organization for input, honed our organizational del strategy and jump-started important conversations that continue today.?

During Ovell's tenure, Spectrum Health held its first systemwide Day of Understanding on Juneteenth, 2020, and its second on June 18, 2021. We instituted hiring practices proven to reduce and eliminate bias, such as panel-based interviews and inclusion advocates. We expanded unconscious bias training and cultural education opportunities for all team members. We redesigned our talent development programs with a focus on fostering greater equity. We reimagined the way we collaborate with our community partners and communicate with our communities through culturally relevant purposeful messaging. And we grew diversity across our organization. We still have progress to make to truly reflect the vibrant diversity of our communities, but the progress to date is significant and worth celebrating.?

This work is transformational. It is also foundational. It provides a solid footing for further progress and advancement. Thanks to Ovell and his team for the immense collaboration across our organization and communities, and for all we have accomplished.?

Spectrum Health remains committed to the chief diversity officer role and to building an even more diverse and inclusive organization that provides equitable opportunities to team members of all backgrounds, and safe and welcoming spaces for our teams, patients, health plan members and communities.