Dr. Kevin Churchwell

That challenge and that opportunity that we are working to incorporate the work around equity, diversity, inclusivity in thinking and how we think about all aspects of the work that we do, whether it's the work in research, the work in clinical care, the work in education.

I told others the important part is that this discussion, this piece of work, usually sits at the end of anyone's agenda, any meeting's agenda.

We get through the agenda, and then in the last five minutes, we talk about equity, diversity, inclusivity.

I've said our goal is to make sure that our discussion

about equity, diversity, inclusivity is either number one or number two on the agenda.

That allows the proper time to actually address it.

It gives us the importance that it needs for us to really move the ball forward.

And that's what we're trying to do and doing at Boston Children's in terms of that challenge.

When I talk to our colleagues across the healthcare entities in the city of Boston, they are directly addressing this opportunity in much the same way.

What I've said to them is that our failure will be that a year from now, we're not talking about

EDI in the same way that we're doing right now, that somehow something else, the next issue takes the space and we're not concentrating on this important issue.

Our goal has to be that it stays top of mind, that it stays in front of our caregivers, our administrative leadership, our boards of trustees.

so that we solve this issue.

We get to the opportunity that is in front of us moving forward.

And then ultimately it translates to better care for everyone that we're responsible for.

Our work at Boston Children's has been around how do we engage with our community and listen to our community for the issues that they are confronted with and how can we be part of the solution set.

I think that my colleagues across the city and around the country will say the same thing from that standpoint.

but it's important that we identify the root causes of the issue we're facing and how do we improve the health of our communities.

One of our leaders in our community work has been my educator on this.

And she continues to make the point, when all is said and done, one of the key issues that we have to confront, we have to solve,