Heart of the Business Tip #1: Build and Maintain a Diverse Workforce

We are just kicking off 2019, but MedHQ is already looking forward to the fall.

This September, for the second year in a row, the MedHQ team is participating in the Metro Chicago Heart Walk, sponsored by the American Heart Association (AHA). The Chicago walk is one of many nationwide events to raise money for lifesaving heart disease and stroke research. By 2020, the AHA aims to improve the cardiovascular health of all Americans by 20% and to reduce the deaths from cardiovascular disease and stroke by 20%.

Rita Hernandez- Figi, MedHQ Vice President, Human Resources Services, has been active in the American Heart Association for almost two decades, and she is in her seventh year on the Metro Chicago Board of Directors.

“This cause aligns with MedHQ’s mission and values, as well as those of our individual employees,” said Hernandez-Figi. “We are all dedicated to helping people live healthier lives and healthcare organizations run thriving businesses.”

Each month leading up to the Metro Chicago Heart Walk, we will highlight a different tip centered around a saying we have at MedHQ: “We are at the heart of healthcare businesses.”

This month’s tip is: build and maintain a diverse workforce.

A healthy and productive workplace intentionally fosters diversity, inclusion, and respect among its employees.

It’s not enough to add, “We celebrate diversity,” into your mission statement, however. To make a diverse workforce a reality within your organization, you need to start at the top, making sure that your efforts tie in with your business vision and goals.

Your leaders must be open and honest when evaluating your strengths and weaknesses – in order to set a course for where you want to go. Start with these questions:

  • Are you actively looking for ways to expand your pool of diverse talent?
  • Does your team represent a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences?
  • How do you cultivate inclusion within your current staff?
  • What mentoring, professional development, networking, and socializing opportunities do you offer?
  • How do celebrate the diversity you already have in your organization?

Do you need help recruiting, hiring or evaluating a long-term staffing strategy? You can learn more about our HR services here.