equity – Here for Life

Digital equity in healthcare

November 3, 2022

With healthcare services and health information increasingly moving online, access to this type of care requires digital literacy skills. We know that some of the populations we serve at Hennepin Healthcare have challenges when it comes to digital literacy and access.

16% of American adults have gaps in their digital literary skills therefore limitations on their device (laptop, tablet, mobile) use.
47% of adults aged 50 – 80 have concerns about using technology for healthcare/telehealth.
38% of older Americans can’t access telehealth visits, mainly due to technology experience.
More than 12% of US households do not have internet service due to limited access (some rural with no access), affordability, or no interest.
Utilization of virtual care is highly correlated with income level.
Non-white and non-English speaking patients use virtual care far less than their white counterparts and site digital literacy and access as the primary barriers.
Households earning less than $30k per year have a computer, compared to 94% of households making over $100k
18 million households in America do not have internet access
Digital redlining is a real threat to certain urban communities

So how do we close this gap? (more…)

Hennepin Healthcare is one of the first healthcare organizations to meet or exceed rigorous requirements for national health equity accreditation

October 18, 2022

The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) recently announced that Hennepin Healthcare earned its Health Equity Accreditation Plus accreditation, which recognizes organizations that lead the market in providing culturally and linguistically sensitive services, and work to reduce health care disparities. NCQA awards Accreditation to organizations that meet or exceed its rigorous requirements for health equity. Hennepin Healthcare was one of two healthcare organizations in the country to receive this recognition – the first time NCQA has accredited healthcare systems.

Dr. Nneka Sederstrom, Hennepin Healthcare’s Chief Health Equity Officer, has been leading the way in the organization’s efforts to align their practices into policies. (more…)

What it’s like to be Black and a doctor in white America

February 25, 2022

Dr. Iesha Galloway-Gilliam, an Internal Medicine provider at Hennepin Healthcare shares her experience and challenges being Black and a doctor in this interview: (more…)

Voices of Hennepin Healthcare: Toya López

February 16, 2022

Toya López, a patient and former team member at Hennepin Healthcare, strongly believes in a sustainable healthcare design that cares for patients and environmental health.

“At Hennepin Healthcare, we are amongst leaders,” praises Toya López, a patient and former team member (employee) of Hennepin Healthcare, as well as a board member for Health Professionals for a Healthy Climate. “The people who work here care about the purpose. Part of the purpose is to make a healthier environment.”

López’s career integrates their passions for health equity and environmental sustainability. “I’m grateful for the care I receive here as a patient. I know what it’s like to be a patient and an employee. This is very much a purpose-driven place,” explains López. (more…)

Voices of Hennepin Healthcare: Akhmiri Sekhr-Ra

December 3, 20211

The Chief Family Development Officer at the Cultural Wellness Center shares her harmonious vision for wellness – and why we need community to enjoy health.

“I can count on one hand how many jobs I’ve had,” says Akhmiri Sekhr-Ra with pride. “My mother worked at the same place until she retired. I’m doing the same at the Cultural Wellness Center. This is my retirement plan; I’m not going anywhere else.”

Akhmiri is now the Chief Family Development Officer at the Cultural Wellness Center in Minneapolis, an organization with strong, longstanding ties to Hennepin Healthcare. She became involved with the Center in 1996 as a community member, was asked to join the Board and then became a community partner. She came on staff 15 years ago. (more…)

Voices of Hennepin Healthcare: Semora Murrell

November 15, 20213

A Treasured Welcome Representative Shares Her Passion and Hope for Hennepin Healthcare

When you walk into Hennepin Healthcare, you may be lucky enough to meet Semora Murrell, a welcome services representative with a big, impossible-to-forget smile. “I’m the first face you see,” she says. “I can chat with everyone, I know some of everybody.”

“The role has a simple title, but many things come along with it,” says Semora, who is celebrating eight years of working at Hennepin Healthcare. “Most people believe it’s just greeting people and sending them on their way, but it’s much more than that. We are the face of Hennepin Healthcare.” (more…)

A white midwife’s letter to tonight’s Black baby

June 17, 20207

Dear new baby,

Today will be your birthday. Our city, our country, the world– is grieving the murder of George Floyd and too many others gone too soon. Your new life would be a different kind of hard if you were born an ocean away. Your life would look different if you were born on the southern end of the Mississippi River. But here you are, on your way tonight to be born into the land of the Dakota and Ojibwe.

Outside the walls of this hospital masses have gathered. Masses of broken hearts, raised hands and marching feet have taken to the streets. They brave a pandemic to face the more established and more deadly force of racism. They are marching for George Floyd. And they are marching for you. (more…)