Diversity Awareness and Training is provided for all Novant Health leaders and staff. We believe that this educational experience helps our employees become more aware of themselves and sensitive to our customers. Throughout the year, various learning forums such as staff meetings, workshops, retreats and Diversity Month celebrations enhance our employees' diversity knowledge and cultural competence.

Tools like the Cultural & Religious Competency Manual for Healthcare Professionals were developed by Diversity Action Committee staff for Novant employees. Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) is another learning tool available to physicians, nurses and other employees.

Same-sex domestic partner benefits are available to employees. And our Equal Opportunity statement and policies include sexual orientation: "Novant Health does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran's status or sexual orientation with regard to admission, treatment or participation in its programs, services and activities, or in employment."

Work-life benefits and mentoring programs are provided for our staff. We believe that our health system's greatest asset is our staff. And we invest in their professional development, work-life balance and overall well-being.

In addition, our efforts include strategies to recruit diverse staff. For instance, we exhibit at the National Medical Association (NMA) annual convention. The NMA advances the art and science of medicine for people of African descent through education, advocacy, and health policy to promote wellness and eliminate health disparities. We also network with many medical schools, including Morehouse School of Medicine, Meharry Medical College, Howard University, Emory Medical School and Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science.

Novant Health solicited feedback from its employees on how to best celebrate the healthcare system's tenth anniversary. The organization chose the option that its employees overwhelmingly recommended - give something to its communities. As a result, our healthcare system and staff built three Habitat for Humanity homes in celebration of our anniversary. We used the funds we would have spent on an anniversary party and instead purchased lumber, nails, glass, paint and all the supplies to help create a new future for three deserving families of our communities: one home in Brunswick County, one in the Triad and the other in the Charlotte area.

Novant Health is very committed to supporting the many United Way agencies whose services touch one in three people in the communities we serve. In 2008, our health system and employees contributed $1,428,050 to benefit United Way agencies. Our hospitals and clinics also choose to support other important community resources through unique employee campaigns such as Caring Beyond Our Walls.