YOUR BUSINESS AUTHORITY
Springfield, MO
CoxHealth named its first-ever diversity, equity and inclusion officer.
Heather Hardinger started Dec. 6 as chief diversity officer for the health care system, according to a news release. A Springfield City Council member, she comes to CoxHealth with experience in diversity and inclusion, as well as workforce development, most notably five years with the Taney County Partnership. She recently had a stint with Connell Insurance Inc. as a business solutions and talent strategy officer, according to her LinkedIn profile.
“I’m thrilled to join CoxHealth as its first leader dedicated to building on the important work of diversity, equity and inclusion under the organization’s mission and values – to be the best for those who need us with safety, compassion, respect and integrity,” Hardinger said in the release. “The best way to serve our patients, employees and communities is to ensure we can provide and maintain safe, welcoming environments for all as we serve, heal, educate and innovate.
"I look forward to bringing the best of who I am to this new role to advance diversity, inclusion and health equity as essential components to providing exceptional care to the communities we serve.”
As CoxHealth's chief diversity officer, Hardinger will work to address health disparities, reach underserved populations and identify gaps in equality and awareness for patients and employees.
CoxHealth President CEO Steve Edwards said Hardinger's hiring would help "attract and retain the most talented staff possible."
"For us to be at our very best, we must create an environment that fosters diversity, equity and inclusion," he said in the release. "We want to invite all people with the talent and dedication to serve our patients to find a place to prosper on our team."
Utah-based gourmet cookie chain Crumbl Cookies opened its first Springfield shop; interior design business Branson Upstaging LLC relocated; and Lauren Ashley Dance Center LLC added a second location.
Updated: Systematic Savings Bank to be acquired in $14M deal
Former CoxHealth colleagues starting communications firm
Warby Parker store planned in Springfield
Former Wentzville superintendent to get $1M in contract buyout
STL construction firm buys KC company
NPR editor resigns after writing piece critical of organization
Survey finds increase in average salary Americans willing to take
They very last thing anyone should want from our healthcare industry is “diversity and equity”!
How did this stupid nonsense get started? A bunch of media driven lies.
The ONLY thing we should expect from all institutions and organizations is MERIT!! Hire the BEST available!! If that means your healthcare professionals are all black or whatever? So be it! Anytime you see a “diversity and equity” dept, RUN! You are dealing with racists.
Does this mean COX had admitted they had racist hiring policies in the past? They weren’t including people? No black doctors? No Indian doctors? No white female do tors or nurses? Just a bunch of racist white males? Is this why they had to hire their “first ever diversity and inclusion director”? What a joke we have become. Our predecessors are spinning in their graves over our stupidity. We keep playing right into the Communists divide and conquer plan.