 WINSTON-SALEM, NC -- Deborah Ashton, Ph.D. joins Novant Health as the organization's first chief diversity officer. Her efforts will include the development of an inclusive and comprehensive diversity strategy that impacts all aspects of the healthcare system, including patients, employees, suppliers, communities and services offered.
"Diversity has long been one of Novant's core values," shared Sallye Liner, RN, chief clinical officer. "But what I find exciting about this new position is that we can expand diversity well beyond the traditional human resouce function. Deborah will work with our leaders to better understand the healthcare disparities that exist in our patient populations and develop strategies to help Novant address these disparities in the communities we serve."
Ashton, a Harvard-trained, licensed clinical psychologist, most recently served as a diversity consultant and strategist in Chicago, IL, advising clients across the U.S. on diversity issues. Prior to that, Ashton served as the diversity director for Harley Davidson, Inc. in Milwaukee, WI. There she led the development of global diversity and inclusion strategies that linked to business objectives and partnered with the Harley-Davidson Foundation to maximize social impact. She has served as president of an executive coaching and diversity training firm, senior director of workforce diversity for Darden's Restaurants in Orlando, FL and diversity director for Medtronic, Inc. in Minneapolis, MN.
As chief diversity officer, Ashton will focus on five key strategies: addressing the diverse needs of patients, hiring and retaining talented employees who mirror patient demographics, leadership development, developing diversity success measures and supplier diversity.
Novant has been recognized as a Top 10 company by Working Mother magazine and a Top 50 Family-Friendly Company by Carolina Parenting, Inc. In addition, Novant Health was the recipient of the Carolinas Minority Supplier Development Council 2010 Public-Private Sector Organization of the Year award, honoring the health system's commitment to minority business purchasing, technical and managerial assistance to enterprises and volume of business opportunities dedicated to minority companies.
"At Novant, diversity helps spark innovation, elevate patient care and strengthen connections to the communities we serve," said Liner. "We welcome Deborah's leadership to Novant Health and look forward to the insight and creativity that she can bring to our organization, our employees, and most importantly, our patients." |