By now everyone at OHA should be familiar with the goal of health system transformation. That is: better health, better care and lower costs.

To truly meet the triple aim, we must ensure that everyone is included. We are gaining an increased understanding that too often health is determined by factors beyond the control of an individual. In our ongoing reporting on the coordinated care organizations, we are including race and ethnicity data so that we can see disparities where they exist in order to support policies and programs for better health – for everyone.

Through our Traditional Health Workers Commission and other work with providers, we support the efforts to bring better care – for everyone.

And as we know, better health and better care will mean lower costs – for everyone. That is why health equity is a core value at OHA.

 As we work to increase health equity in communities, we are also working to increase equity in the workplace. One new initiative will provide a means for our employees who are part of communities underrepresented in the workforce to come together for coaching, mentoring and professional opportunities.

Called Employee Resource Groups, they will be created by and for interested staff who will volunteer their time to participate. Through the ERGs, staff can connect to each other and have an additional connection to the agency and our mission. Traditionally, ERGs are organized around shared interests, backgrounds or orientations, including but not limited to LGBTQ employees, African Americans, veterans, or others from traditionally underrepresented groups and the allies who support them.

If you have interest in an ERG, you can find more information on our intranet site here. It is the first of many initiatives that will be rolled out in the months to come. I also encourage you to learn more about the Office of Equity and Inclusion and the work it is doing for OHA staff, stakeholders and clients to help meet the vision of the triple aim – for everyone.