Workforce

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are fundamental values at Partners HealthCare. As an organization internationally recognized for its scientific and technological advancement in health care, we value the broad experiences and capabilities that make our more than 73,000 employees exceptional. Our programs are intentionally designed to make our employees feel valued and respected.

Employee Resource Groups

Partners demonstrates commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion at our hospitals through the support of Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), which are committed to the recruitment, retention, and development of minority professionals. In addition to workshops and monthly meetings featuring thought leaders, speakers and networking opportunities, the ERGs engaged in the community to strengthen Partners commitment to supporting the communities we serve.

ERGs at Brigham and Women’s Hospital:

• The Association of Multicultural Members of Partners (AMMP)
• Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) and Allies
• The Young Professionals (YP)

ERGs at Mass General Hospital

• LGBT Employee Resource Group
• Association of Multicultural Members of Partners (AMMP)

ERGs at Partners HealthCare

• LGBTQ+ and Allies Employee Resource Group
• Women and Allies Employee Resource Group
• Young Professionals

Gender Identity/Expression in the Workplace Policy

Partners HealthCare has taken a leadership role as a major corporation to clarify transgender rights in the workplace. We recognize gender identity and gender expression as values important to equal employment opportunity and have clarified transgender rights and offer a road map to employees in transition. In support of the policy, Partners HealthCare created a tool kit for employees and their mangers to address the needs and issues that arise in the workplace when a member of the Partners HealthCare workforce decides to transition.

Diversity Mentorship Program

This program was created in pursuit of our commitment to be an employer of choice and an inclusive organization that leverages all resources to work towards more diverse leadership and therefore better business outcomes. We are committed to supporting and developing the next generation of leaders at Partners HealthCare by working to address and expand racial and ethnic representation in our organizations.

The Mentoring Program provides an opportunity for ethnic and racially diverse employees to gain valuable insights in navigating the Partners organization and corporate culture, to grow confidence and relationships, and to develop professional skills, specifically in leadership, through partnership with a Mentor who is a senior leader within the Partners System.

Workforce Development

Partners HealthCare Workforce Development, a division of Human Resources, is committed to ensuring a highly qualified and diverse pipeline of health care professionals, while providing economic opportunity within the communities we serve.

Learn more about the work by Partners HealthCare Workforce Development.

Leadership Training and Development

The current social, economic and political environment requires that we, as leaders, apply specific competencies that would allow us to successfully lead our diverse employee population and community. Diversity, equity, and inclusion was identified as a strategic priority for Partners HealthCare and over the last two years, approximately 500 senior leaders have attended Partners in Diversity/Partners for Inclusion training and 175 mid-level managers have attended Inclusive Leadership Training for Managers.

Throughout 2019, the "Building Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Competencies for Business Success" program was available for Human Resource Business Partners. Participants from across the Partners HealthCare system spent over 60 hours in a six-month period engaging in deep learning and skill development around issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Course participants shared their knowledge and the impact the course had on them personally with HR Leaders.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Workforce Programs and Educational Opportunities

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Summit

Since May 2017, Partners HealthCare has convened an annual Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Summit. The goal is to bring all parts of the organization together for a day of learning and common experience in diversity and inclusion. The summits have become an opportunity for attendees to set aside their credentials, put on their learning caps, and interact with a wide range of colleagues, including administrative staff, physicians, hospital Presidents, Partners CEO and Board members. The 2019 summit theme was "The Power of Intersectionality: Identity as an asset."

Insights into Identities

To further explore the concept of identity outside of the annual Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Summit, a series was created to focus on various identities through a year-long, system-wide learning initiative: “Insight into Identities.” Each month focuses on a specific facet of human difference and a learning newsletter provides various forms of media, discussion questions and statistics about that month’s identity. Partners HealthCare employees from across the system have participated in the series.

Diversity Dialogues

Led by experts in the field, Partners HealthCare Diversity Dialogues are forums that help build awareness around a range of topics related to diversity and inclusion. The Diversity Dialogue series provides a platform for diverse voices to be heard and understood. Through these efforts we strive to create a more inclusive workplace.

Black History Month Celebration

Throughout the month of February, the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion featured a series of special recognitions to honor not only those who have made contributions to our nation’s history, but also those who have made an impact on the health care field and on Partners and its institutions. This was also a great opportunity to highlight the many ways our employees can leverage their own differences while celebrating uniqueness.

To celebrate this important month, the Office of Diversity. Equity and Inclusion also recommended a variety of educational and fun activities, including museum visits and local tours, movies to watch and books to read.

National Disability Awareness Employment Month

Partners hosted this event with conversation centered around key concepts related to disability inclusion including: etiquette, behaviors, resources and accommodations. The goal was to highlight the role of staff and managers in supporting employees with disabilities and providing patients with culturally competent care.

National Coming Out Day Panel

For National Coming Out Day on October 11, Partners HealthCare hosted a panel with individuals from the Greater Boston Chapter of PFLAG. The panel discussed topics such as being an out member of the LGBTQ+ community in the workplace, the health effects and benefits that can occur from someone living openly out, and how allies can better support those within the LGBTQ+ community.

Women's History Month Celebration  

In Honor of Woman’s History Month in March, the Partners Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion host an event in partnership with Women and Allies Employee Resource Group. For 2019, the event was titled “Telling Your Story, Building Your Brand”, which fostered conversations around how woman can empower their personal and corporate brand. There was a panel of Partners HealthCare woman and guest speaker.

Veterans Day Breakfast

Partners HealthCare recognizes the important contributions our veterans make to our nation and to our Partners community. Since 2017, in honor of Veterans Day, Partners hosts a Veterans Breakfast to thank and recognize our active and retired service members. The 2019 theme was “To Care for Those Who Braved the Battle”.

The event featured Partners Chief Medical Officer, Gregg Meyer, MD, Massachusetts Secretary of Veteran Affair Francisco Ureña, and Major Christina A. Fanitizi, Special Assistant to the Chief of The Staff: Army.