A Message for the Shields Family from Lee Cooper, CEO

Dear Shields Team,

Our work and commitment to a more diverse and inclusive workplace continues at Shields. I’d like to thank our committed team that stepped up to lead our advisory board focused on how we can better support our diverse employees, their families and the communities we live and work. Over the last two months, R.I.S.E (Race & Inclusion Strategy for Equity), with the support of the leadership team, have already implemented meaningful and lasting changes within our organization. RISE has recommended and received executive leadership approval for the following:

  • Provide charitable donations to The Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts and Community Change, resulting in a $25k even split
  • Establish a partnership with the NAACP and DiversityJobs.com to increase diversity candidates for our new hire slates
  • Recognize Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a paid company holiday
  • Send an informative communication around the importance of “Juneteenth” to acknowledge African American Independence on June 19th, 1865

Below are several recommendations from RISE that our executive leadership team are actively working towards:

  • Implement annual mandatory implicit bias and sensitivity training for all SHS employees
  • Provide constructive and motivational feedback coaching for all SHS leaders
  • Support voluntary professional development and mentorship opportunities/workshops for SHS employees
  • Construct an anonymous platform (online submission/telephonic) for SHS employees to express grievances
  • Support the creation of minority employee resource groups
  • Conduct survey of minority employees
  • Diversifying interview panels and talent pools

Longer term, the team is leading the way to implement a formal Employee Resource Group (ERG) within Shields Health Solutions. Embedded in our culture, this ERG will address the needs of African American employees by fostering community, developing future leaders, sharing ideas and challenges, and helping to educate and empower all SHS employees in partnership with the African American community. In addition to the ERG, we continue our work in the areas of diverse recruiting, actively promoting and retaining our diverse talent, building partnerships and affiliations with minority owned business and continuing our focus on an inclusive culture.

I am immensely proud to be among these leaders and am honored by their commitment to helping Shields better support our employees, their families and the communities we serve.

Sincerely, Lee

CEO, Shields Health Solutions