Equity, Inclusion and Diversity
Kaiser Permanente has a strong commitment to diversity, and we believe in equity and inclusion for all.
Our organization strives to create an inclusive workplace for our employees, deliver quality health care that is culturally responsive to our members and patients, and address the total health of the communities we serve.
To optimize patient care and the appreciation of diversity at an organizational level, Kaiser Permanente has established the Institute of Culturally Competent Care as well as “Centers of Excellence,” which responds to specific health needs of certain populations.
Kaiser Permanente has been recognized for several years and was named Diversity Inc Top 50 Hall of Fame for recognition of our diversity and inclusion practices in hiring, retaining and promoting women, minorities, veterans, people with disabilities and people in the LGBTQ community.
Learn more about Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity at Kaiser Permanente
Mental Health Training Program Commitment
The Kaiser Permanente Mental Health Training Program has a long-standing commitment to Equity, Inclusion and Diversity in various ways.
We design each of our programs’ curricula with diversity training as a major component and encourage our training faculty and trainees to foster cultural humility, since our trainees treat clients from diverse backgrounds and who present with a variety of psychological challenges. Seeing things beyond our own perspective improves interpersonal interactions with one’s cohort, the people we serve and becoming a better therapist.
Our program not only advertises locally and nationally within periodical journals, raising awareness of our programs among minority populations, but we are also committed to attending in-person and virtual conferences related to this commitment.
Goals of our Equity, Inclusion,
and Diversity Program
Our Kaiser Permanente Northern California Mental Health Training Program provides advanced training that promotes cultural competency and cultural sensitivity and honors diversity in our training programs and our service to the community.
We aim to promote diversity as an imperative versus an option by focusing our goals on:
Our Patients
The training programs reflect the populations served, and their experiences related to age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity and expression, race, spirituality, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status.
Our Trainees
The training programs are designed to enhance and support all trainees and provide a safe space for them to reflect on their experiences without judgment or shame.
Our Community
The training programs foster and sustain connections with underserved communities through active and reciprocal partnerships.
What We Have Accomplished
- Creation of Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity Liaisons across the Northern California region
- All trainees are required to participate in a community partnership project
- Trainee only Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity (EID) Forums
- EID-focused mentorship program
- Support trainees and supervisors with training focused on cultural competence provided by nationally recognized experts
- Devoted outreach efforts focused on EID-focused activities, ranging from conference attendance, (NLPA, ABPSi, NABSW, Native American Conference, The Multicultural Summit, Kaiser Permanente Equity, Inclusion and Diversity Conference (to name a few), as well as community events (e.g., Oakland Black History Month Fairs), and community outreach activities
- Trainee engagement within regional and national conferences with providers and regional faculty/staff
Moving Forward
While the steps we have taken over the past few years are unprecedented for a training program of our size, we recognize that even more is required in order to ensure that we are collectively working tirelessly as champions of justice and equality.
Towards that goal, we will continue to expand on our initiatives in order to build on our work in this area:
- Voice of the trainee: a current trainee will be appointed to participate with the Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity Liaison Team to ensure direct input from our trainees on these initiatives are heard
- Expanding the work of our EID expert and consultant Dr. Bedford Palmer, who will provide training to our trainees and supervisors separately on issues related to cultural humility and cultural competence monthly
- Continuing relationship with Dr. Kenneth Hardy, national EID leader, to provide trainings for both our trainees and staff
Opportunities to Make a Difference
EID Forum
Our Mental Health Training Program works towards fostering a safe and brave space to enhance cultural humility and increase understanding of emerging topics in the field of psychology.
EID Forums are designed for trainees only and are held with experts from the community, within Kaiser Permanente, and/or national leaders regarding topics related to Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity impacting trainees clinical work and personal development.
The 2022-2023 schedule is as follows (all Forums are from 11am – 12:30pm):
- October 11, 2022: Introduction & Mentorship Speaker: Dr. Marlen Kanagui-Munoz
- November 8, 2022: American Psychological Association & EDI – Speaker: Vanessa Hintz Senior Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Engagement and Outreach for the American Psychological Association
- December 13, 2022: TBD *Hold Date & Time*
- January 10, 2023: TBD *Hold Date & Time*
- February 14, 2023: Kaiser Permanente Division of Research: Alexandra Lea (Senior Research Project Manager)
- March 14, 2023: TBD *Hold Date & Time*
- April 11, 2023: TBD *Hold Date & Time*
- May 9, 2023: TBD *Hold Date & Time*
- June 13, 2023: TBD *Hold Date & Time*
- July 11, 2023: Words of Wisdom Panel Discussion
- August 8, 2023: Check In/Check Out with Dr. Chinue Brown, Dr. Aubyn Fulton & Dr. Mandeep Tumber-Bhela
After each forum, trainees are asked to provide their feedback, as well as give ideas and suggestions for future forums that may be beneficial in their training year.
More details about each forum can be found on the Meeting, Events and Conferences page of the website
Mentorship
Mentorship combines hands-on experience with thoughtful reflection with the underlying goal of promoting a training climate supportive of diversity. Mentors support mentees in their professional development by helping them prepare for early career positions, define future goals, network, and hone work/life balance.
Interested trainees are matched with licensed providers within Kaiser Permanente. The licensed providers serve as mentors and offer guidance and support (separate from supervision that is provided by clinical supervisors).
Registration Opens in the Fall. Watch for email notification
Consultation Services
Our EID Officers, Dr. Mandeep Tumber-Bhela and Dr. Chinue Brown, provide monthly consultation sessions for both trainees and training faculty. These sessions are held on 2 separate occasions for increased emotional safety at the supervisee and supervisor levels.
EID Consultation Hours for 2022-2023 (Time: Variable, See below)
Hosted By EID Officers: Drs. Chinue Brown & Mandeep Tumber-Bhela
SUPERVISORS
October 18, 2022, Tuesday Morning – 11-12p
November 17, 2022, Thursday Afternoon – 2-3p
December 20, 2022, Tuesday Morning – 11-12p
January 19, 2023, Thursday Afternoon – 2-3p
February 21, 2023, Tuesday Morning – 11-12p
March 23, 2023, Thursday Afternoon – 2-3p
April 18, 2023, Tuesday Morning – 11-12p
May 18, 2023, Thursday Afternoon – 2-3p
June 20, 2023, Tuesday Morning – 11-12p
July 20, 2023, Thursday Afternoon – 2-3p
August 15, 2023, Tuesday Morning – 11-12p
TRAINEES
October 27, 2022, Thursday 1-2p
November 22, 2022, Tuesday 11-12p
December 22, 2022, Thursday 1-2p
January 24, 2023, Tuesday 11-12p
February 23, 2023, Thursday 1-2p
March 28, 2023, Tuesday 11-12p
April 27, 2023, Thursday 1-2p
May 23, 2023, Tuesday 11-12p
June 22, 2023, Thursday 1-2p
July 25, 2023, Tuesday 11-12p
August 24, 2023, Thursday 1-2p
Details of Consultation schedule can also be found on the Meetings, Events and Conferences page of the website
Trainee Liaison
To ensure we receive direct input from our trainees on Equity Inclusion and Diversity initiatives, please reach out with any questions.
It is important to us that your voice is heard.
Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity Liaisons
As Liaisons of the Mental Health Training Program, we work towards increasing awareness of our Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity vision. Our efforts include, but are not limited to recruitment and outreach at various local and national conferences, EID Forums, Mentorship, coordination of support to our local sites regarding consultation efforts, provide a safe space for trainees to voice concerns, participate in health fairs, etc.
