NOVI, Mich., Feb. 5 /PRNewswire/ — Spotlighting an enterprise-wide priority, Trinity Health today announced the appointment of VeLois Bowers as its new Senior Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion. In this newly created role, Bowers will advance Trinity Health’s vision to develop of a culturally competent workforce of more than 45,100 employees across Trinity Health’s nationwide network of 46 hospitals and numerous outpatient and long- term care facilities, home health and hospice programs. Bowers reports directly to Trinity Health President and CEO Joseph Swedish in his role as Chief Diversity Officer.
Bowers will lead the development and implementation of short- and long- term diversity strategies, plans and programs. Bowers also is charged with developing tools, resources and techniques for monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of Trinity Health’s diversity initiatives.
“We are proud to welcome VeLois Bowers into the Trinity Health family and look forward to the energy and insight she’ll bring in driving our diversity initiatives,” said Swedish. “This new position underscores Trinity Health’s focus on fostering a culturally competent organization reflective of the diverse communities we serve. Our associates expect an inclusive culture and climate to accompany tools, resources and support as elements of what they need to do their best work. That is what diverse organizations provide to their people, and that is what we aspire to.”
Diversity and inclusion are noted in four of the 14 founding principles that were created by the sponsoring congregations of Trinity Health to set its mission and vision. Trinity Health defines diversity and inclusion as valuing divergent perspectives that are founded in individual differences in gender, race, age, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, thought, ancestry, religion, marital or parental status, physical or mental disability, education, veteran status, citizenship, genetic makeup, or any other characteristic.
Further, Trinity Health understands that true diversity does not try to assimilate individual members of a group into the dominant culture, but instead embraces the differences that make each of them unique.
“Diversity isn’t just a buzzword – it’s a necessity in establishing an inclusive environment that encourages growth among associates and the enterprise as a whole,” said Bowers. “Providing leadership for a diversity strategy impacting such a wide array of colleagues, medical staff and business partners with the help of our team, led by Joe Swedish, will be an exciting mission to carry out.”
Prior to joining Trinity Health, Bowers served as vice president of diversity and inclusion for the Kellogg Company and vice president of global diversity for Whirlpool Corporation. Her career experience also has encompassed human resources positions at Western Michigan University.
Bowers earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. She’s a member of several professional organizations, including the National Association of African Americans in Human Resources, Diversity and Inclusion Food Group Industry Council, Network for Executive Women, founding member of the Council for World Class Communities, a member of the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff Foundation Board, and the chair of the Conference Board – Diversity and Inclusion Council. Bowers has taught courses and led workshops at several institutions and has been a guest speaker at the University of Notre Dame, Andrews University, Northern Caribbean University, and Lake Michigan College.
About Trinity Health
With hospitals in eight states, Trinity Health is the fourth-largest Catholic health care system in the nation based on total revenue. Headquartered in Novi, Mich., Trinity Health operates 31 owned and 15 managed hospitals, 384 outpatient facilities, numerous long-term care facilities, and home health offices and hospice programs. Employing approximately 45,100 full- time staff, Trinity Health reported $6.1 billion in revenues and $307 million in community benefit ministry in fiscal year 2006. For more information about Trinity Health, visit http://www.trinity-health.org/.
Trinity Health
CONTACT: Kevin DiCola, Manager, Corporate Communications and PublicRelations of Trinity Health, +1-248-489-6032, or pager, +1-248-523-6733, [email protected]
Web site: http://www.trinity-health.org/
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