Congratulations OHSU! OHSU is honored to receive accolades for successful initiatives in advancing equity and inclusion. In addition to the Hispanic Chamber ¡Bravo! Award (see page 2), here are highlights of recent OHSU kudos: LGBT Equality Advocate Award OHSU was named the recipient of the 2013 “Equality Advocate Award” by Basic Rights Oregon, the state’s chief advocacy organization dedicated to ending discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. In 2012, OHSU became the largest employer in Oregon to provide transgender-inclusive health care benefits to employees and their dependents. Basic Rights also commended the advocacy and support of OHSU Pride, the resource group for OHSU’s LGBT community, in furthering the university’s commitment to healthcare equality. Hope and Liberty Award The Oregon League of Minority Voters honored OHSU President Dr. Joseph E. Robertson, Jr. with the 2013 Hope and Liberty Award, recognizing leadership and commitment to advancing diversity and inclusion across the university. Under Dr. Robertson’s leadership, OHSU adopted new institutional policies and articulated the business case for diversity, enhanced infrastructure, and allocated financial resources to promote diversity goals. Leadership in LGBT Healthcare For the third year in a row, OHSU has been recognized as a “Leader in LGBT Healthcare Equality” in the Healthcare Equality Index 2013, an annual survey conducted by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, the educational arm of the country’s largest LGBT organization. OHSU earned top marks for its commitment to equitable, inclusive care for LGBT patients and their families, who can face significant challenges in securing adequate healthcare.
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Diversity Profile Pharmacist Huy Nguyen considers working at OHSU a homecoming. He became involved in OHSU student programs while in high school, and he credits diversity-focused outreach programs for introducing him to career opportunities in health and sciences. In an interview with CDI intern Naod Aynalem (see below), Huy talks about his career path and finding his professional home at OHSU. Q: What is your background? I grew up in Portland. I was born in Vietnam, and came to the U.S. when I was seven. I went to Benson Polytechnic High School. In high school, there were technical programs like programing and engineering. Then, there was a program called HOSA (Health Occupation Students of America) which focused on dental, pharmacy and other health careers. Around sophomore year, I knew that I wanted to do something in the health field. Q: How did you get involved with OHSU? My first experience at OHSU was in high school. I did some volunteering at the Pharmacy at the main hospital. I knew I needed volunteering experiences, so I went to Volunteer Services. I was assigned to work in pharmaceutical deliveries where I picked up and dropped off drugs. I also started an internship with the Center for Diversity & Inclusion (CDI) which was called the Center for Diversity & Multicultural Affairs at that time. I helped out with middle-school summer programs and mentored students through OHSU’s Your Opportunity (YO!) in Science program. Q: How have those early experiences helped you decide to pursue a career in the health care field? I knew I liked to help people. I liked to work with people and it also provided for stability as far as jobs. Those three factors influenced my direction. I knew engineering didn’t interest me. I was good at math until a certain point to where numbers became letters so I didn’t even want to go in that direction. You know there are always family members on medications, but at a young age you don’t really know why. But if you were able to know about all those medications, then you could help all those people around you. Q: What do you like most about being a pharmacist? Making a difference. When you work at OHSU, you see all kinds of people and conditions, from the richest of people to the poorest. I like being able to work with people to determine the best alternatives for their medication regime, to ensure that it works for them. By working closely with patients, they are more likely to follow through and take their medications. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Naod Aynalem, a student at Jesuit High School, was one of several high school and college students who worked as interns at OHSU departments over the summer. The paid internship provided hands-on learning opportunities for diverse youth who are interested in exploring careers in healthcare administration. While working at the CDI office, Naod worked with staff on a number of different projects, from writing assignments, to assisting at various events.