Trinity Health Joins Other Catholic Health Care Systems in Making Comprehensive Commitment to Confronting Racism

Trinity Health Joins Other Catholic Health Care Systems in Making Comprehensive Commitment to Confronting Racism by Achieving Health Equity

LIVONIA, MICHIGAN, February 4, 2021 – Trinity Health today announced that it is joining with the Catholic Health Association of the United States (CHA) in a new initiative to confront racism by achieving health equity. Trinity Health joins 22 of the nation’s largest Catholic health care systems committed to confronting systemic racism by prioritizing equity in response to COVID-19; enacting change across our health care systems by examining and changing hiring, promotion and retention practices to ensure diversity and inclusion; forming stronger partnerships with communities of color to improve health outcomes; and leveraging their united and powerful voice to advocate for policy changes that address the root causes of racism and social injustice.

"We know racism is a public health crisis,” said Mike Slubowski, president & CEO of Trinity Health. “And Trinity Health is committed to breaking down barriers and improving health disparities that result from inequities and systemic racism. I appreciate the Catholic Health Association’s leadership across our ministries as we work together for racial justice."

Collectively, Trinity Health and the other Catholic health organizations (see list below) who have signed the Catholic Health Association of the United States’ (CHA) Confronting Racism by Achieving Health Equity pledge employ nearly a half million people across 46 states and the District of Columbia and care for almost four million patients annually.

Recognizing that racism is an affront to the core values of Catholic social teaching, CHA members joined in solidarity to promote the common good and seek justice by being actively anti-racist and accountable in effecting positive change in the communities we serve.

Four focus areas

• Act for COVID-19 equity: Members commit to ensuring that testing for COVID-19 is available and accessible in minority communities and that new treatments are distributed and used equitably as they become available. Members will also work for prioritization of vaccinations for those individuals and families at higher risk — elder populations and communities of color, including Native American communities.

• Enact change across our own health systems: Members are examining how their organizations recruit, hire, promote and retain employees; how they conduct business operations, including visible diversity and inclusivity at the decision, leadership and governance levels; and how they incentivize and hold our leaders accountable.

• Advocate for improved health outcomes for minority communities and populations: Members agree to promote and improve the delivery of culturally competent care and oppose policies that exacerbate or perpetuate economic and social inequities, including such issues as education, housing and criminal justice reform.

• Strengthen trust with minority communities: Members will continue to foster, strengthen and sustain authentic relationships based on mutually agreed goals to better understand the unique needs of their communities.

Mike Slubowski and other Catholic health care leaders who have signed the pledge recognize that collectively they are in a unique position to bring about overdue change to policies and practices that have allowed systemic racism and health disparities to continue in the United States.

To hold itself and its members accountable, CHA intends to provide updates on the commitment progress annually.

To learn more about this initiative visit www.wearecalled.org.

The 23 Catholic health care organizations that have signed the pledge are:

Ascension

Avera Health

Benedictine Health System

Bon Secours Mercy Health

CHRISTUS Health

CommonSpirit Health

Covenant Health

Elizabeth Seton Children's Center

Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System, Inc.

Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity Sponsored Ministries, Inc.

Holy Redeemer Health System

Hospital Sisters Health System

Mercy

Mercy Health Services, Inc.

MercyOne

Peace Care St. Ann's

PeaceHealth

Providence St. Joseph Health

SCL Health

Sisters of Charity Health System

SMP Health System

SSM Health

Trinity Health

About Trinity Health

Trinity Health is one of the largest multi-institutional Catholic health care delivery systems in the nation, serving diverse communities that include more than 30 million people across 22 states. Trinity Health includes 92 hospitals, as well as 113 continuing care locations that include PACE programs, senior living facilities, and home care and hospice services. Its continuing care programs provide nearly 2.5 million visits annually. Based in Livonia, Mich., and with annual operating revenues of $18.8 billion, the organization returns $1.3 billion to its communities annually in the form of charity care and other community benefit programs. Trinity Health employs 123,000 colleagues, including 6,800 employed physicians and clinicians. For more information, visit www.trinity-health.org. You can also follow Trinity Health on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter.