Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)

Our I CARE Values: At the Center of Everything We Do

At Houston Methodist, our I CARE values are at the core of how we treat each other and our patients. We are committed to providing, promoting and ensuring an environment that celebrates our diverse backgrounds and diverse thoughts. A culture that is equitable and inclusive and encourages our employees to grow their careers here — because everyone has an opportunity to reach their full potential and bring their entire self to work. 

When we continuously strive to build and maintain a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce, we will be better employees and team members, our patients will be better and so will the communities we serve and care so deeply about.

— Arianne D. Dowdell, Vice President, Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer, Houston Methodist Hospital

Our Commitment: DEI Goals and Objectives

Houston Methodist will be known for having a culture of inclusive behavior that allows us to provide unparalleled, personalized care and service to a diverse patient population through effective teamwork, while ensuring dignity and respect for every patient, provider, colleague and our community.

Our six priorities for 2023-2025 established by the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee of the Board, include:

• Engaging key stakeholders who will continue to build a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).
• Monitor and measure underrepresented group diversity throughout the workforce and identify areas of opportunity to increase diversity.
• Continue to create and deliver resources and learning programs for all employees and physicians to aid in developing DEI competency and understanding that can be embedded into daily practice across Houston Methodist.
• Create, measure and communicate to all Houston Methodist employees and the community we serve our strategic planning efforts intended to help correct and reduce health care disparities.
• Measure impact on DEI programs through efforts such as refining measurements of DEI learning, working with our employee resource groups (ERGs) to identify impact measures and working with human resources to monitor DEI related staff concerns.
• Support and promote DEI throughout the Greater Houston Area by partnering with Community Benefits to provide DEI learning opportunities to community partners and encouraging employees to participate in DEI related programs offered by community partners.