What is your role in BCH?

As the Program Manager on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, I work under the direction of the BCH DEI Co-Chairs to oversee the planning, development and implementation of the DEI Committee and the various Task Force Teams in advancing our DEI initiatives. I see my role as an agent of cultural change in building a workplace environment where everyone feels heard, respected, and a sense of belonging.

Can you describge to me the organization culture at BCH?

As someone who started at BCH in the new year, I am still familiarizing myself to the culture of BCH and UCSF. What I find more inspiring about BCH is the people. The level of thoughtfulness, caring and commitment of staff to the health and well-being of our patients, families and other staff members have been inspirational. Also, I've been encouraged to see the flexibility and decisive actions of BCH leadership, especially during this period of the COVID19 pandemic. 

What is your personal story? How did you get here? 

I am the youngest of four children of Filipino immigrants and grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area. I've accomplished over 25 years in community health with extensive experience addressing minority health, healty disparities, non-profit management, organizational development, community mobilization, and non-profit management. I started my career managing HIV/AIDS prevention education program in San Francisco. Eventually, I earned my MPH at UC Berkeley in Health and Social Behavior with specialities in International Health and Maternal Child Health. Prior to BCH, I spent over 14 years as a federal contractor with the US Department of Health and Human Resources, leading national health initiatives for African Americans, Asian Americans, Alaskan Native, American Indians, Latinx/Hispanics, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islander communities.

How do you see Diveristy Equity and Inclusion integrated at BCH?

Since starting at BCH five months ago, we have been working to establish a foundation and structure for the DEI Committee. We have started developing a DEI website, commemorating Heritage Months across both children's hospitals, collating information and resources for BCH staff and developing factsheets on health disparities. We are currently in the process of analyzing the DEI Needs Assessment survey conducted last November 2019, to inform our DEI Committee in the next fiscal year's action plans. My hope is to strengthen the BCH culture of belonging and staff engagement. We are in an exciting time for the DEI Committee.