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YORK, Pa. (SEPT. 21, 2021) – WellSpan Health today announced the
promotion of Kimberly Brister to the role of vice president and chief
diversity, equity and inclusion officer. She is the first person to hold this
position within the organization. Brister has led the organization’s
diversity and inclusion efforts since 2019, holding the previous title of
senior director of talent acquisition, diversity and inclusion.
With the latest
promotion, Brister will focus 100 percent of her capacity on advancing the
organization’s efforts to build a diverse workforce and strengthen its
inclusive culture and is backed by the resources of an official office of
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
“Kim has been
instrumental in strengthening and representing WellSpan’s position and
response to issues of discrimination, bias and racism in our institutions and
communities,” said Roxanna Gapstur Ph.D., R.N., president and chief executive
officer, WellSpan Health. “And she is the dynamic leader needed to guide our
continued focus on recognizing and appreciating our unique differences as
individuals, and advance a culture where every person feels respected,
included and valued.”
The appointment is the
latest step in WellSpan’s long-range strategy to build an engaged, diverse
workforce representative of its diverse communities, and an equitable and
inclusive workplace where individuals from every background and lived
experience have the opportunity to excel in their chosen career path.
“At WellSpan our mission
is to provide exceptional care for all and to do that we must understand and
respect the differences of everyone in our care,” Brister said. “We gain
strength when our diverse workforce is empowered to serve our diverse
community, and it all starts when an organization creates a place where
everyone feels safe to share ideas that reflect their unique experiences.”
Brister is the
recent recipient of the Central Penn Business Journal 2021 Women of Influence
Award as well as the Diversity Impact Award from the York County Economic
Alliance for her efforts on the Confronting Racism Coalition.
“The
conversations we are having to address bias and inequality may feel
uncomfortable, but we know that discomfort can generate self-awareness which
can lead to self-improvement,” explained Brister. “All of our team members
own a part in creating an environment where our colleagues and patients feel
safe, respected and valued.”
WellSpan recently
committed to the CEO ACT!ON Pledge for
Diversity & Inclusion, an initiative that outlines a specific set of
actions to be taken by participating organizations to advance diversity &
inclusion efforts; and has signed on to the Pennsylvania Values Business
Pledge as an employer in favor of updating the State’s nondiscrimination law
to include sexual orientation and gender identity, ensuring Pennsylvania
businesses can recruit and retain the best talent.
Brister has a Master of
Business Administration in healthcare administration from the University of
Phoenix. She has earned the Diversity & Inclusion Certificate from
Cornell University. She is actively involved in numerous community
organizations, including the York College Community Opportunity Scholarship
Program (YCCOSP) of York College of Pennsylvania; the United Way Board of
Directors and Leadership Giving Circle Committee; the YWCA of York County
Board of Directors, a member of the York County Community Foundation’s Racial
Equity Committee, and the Confronting Racism Coalition and Big Brothers Big
Sisters of York & Adams Counties, where she previously served as board
president.
To learn more about
becoming a part of WellSpan’s inclusive team, visit www.JoinWellSpan.org.
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