Office for Diversity and Inclusion

UConn Health embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion, and we are committed to creating an environment where differences are not only accepted but also embraced. Our culture of belonging creates a welcoming and safe space for the patients under our care and the UConn Health workforce.

Vice President

Jeffrey F. Hines, MD

The Office for Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) is led by Vice President Jeffrey F. Hines, MD. In this role, he provides vision, builds relationships, and works collaboratively with leaders and members of the workforce across the four key pillars of our academic medical center. These pillars are the academic enterprise, the research enterprise, the patient care enterprise, and proximate, participatory engagement with our surrounding communities. Stakeholder groups in this work at UConn Health include UConn John Dempsey Hospital, The Graduate School, the School of Medicine, and the School of Dental Medicine. In his role, Dr. Hines brings innovative programming and best practices to UConn Health’s institutional diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice initiatives. In his work, he strives to create inclusive work environments grounded in cultural humility. He has established a focus on utilizing disaggregated data, analytics, and key performance indicators to drive disciplined practices around the identification and mitigation of organizational disparities and health inequities. The office is supported by Melisa Adiram, who provides administrative and program coordination.

Interim Assistant Vice President

Kathleen Holgerson, MPA

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Email: holgerson@uchc.edu

 

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Statement

At UConn Health, we value diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging as crucial to our mission to enhance the health and well-being of every citizen of the State of Connecticut. Additionally, we affirm the value of an inclusive environment and diversity within our workforce that includes age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, health status, ability differences, preferred language, and religion. Embracing these differences is embedded within our beliefs and aspirations. We recognize that excellence, teamwork, service, and innovation are only possible when guided by these beliefs. At UConn Health, we work collectively to address systemic barriers around the social determinants of health, health disparities, and bias. We work to foster a culture powered by authenticity, civility, and kindness. Transforming health care and delivering health equity requires perspectives from providers, professionals, staff, and learners from diverse backgrounds and building an environment in which all feel welcome and are positioned to thrive. We challenge ourselves to do this work every day and with every person we serve.