Equitable Access to Care: The staff (individuals or team) should have strategies to promote equitable care for all patients. Examples include having outreach coordinators, liaisons, and/or clinicians who work with patients and families from diverse backgrounds to build trust and ensure understanding of the care delivery process. Culturally Competent Care: Implementation of culturally appropriate care practices that respect and respond to the unique needs of patients from different backgrounds. Examples include language support services, culturally sensitive care plans, and staff training in cultural competence. Community Engagement: Active engagement with diverse communities to understand their needs and incorporate their feedback into care delivery. Examples include partnerships with community organizations, participation in local events, and regular community outreach efforts.

NHPCO’s DEIB Award: Dr. Bernice Catherine Harper Trailblazer Award

Q: 1. Organizational Diversity:

Diverse Employee Population: The organization’s workforce includes staff members with a mix of different identities and cultural backgrounds. Leadership Diversity: The presence of diverse representation is not limited to bedside employees and extends to the organization’s leadership team and decision-making bodies

Q: 2. Organizational Culture:

Cultivating Inclusion: Evidence of initiatives and programs that foster an inclusive workplace environment. Examples include ongoing diversity or health equity training, employee resource groups, and policies that promote inclusivity and respect for all. Focus on DEIB: Demonstrated commitment to DEIB through strategic planning, resource allocation, and continuous improvement efforts. Examples include celebrating cultural events, building culture, supporting underrepresented groups’ professional development, and ensuring equitable hiring practices.

Q: 4. Outstanding Work/Efforts/Accomplishments:

Innovative Programs and Practices: Introduction of innovative programs or practices that significantly advance DEIB within the organization and/or the communities served. Impactful Outcomes: Demonstrable impact of DEIB initiatives on patient care and/or the employee experience. Leadership and Advocacy: Nominee’s leadership in advocating for DEIB both within the organization and in the broader healthcare community. This includes participation in professional networks, speaking engagements, and contributions to policy development.

Diversity

NHPCO’s DEIB Award: Dr. Bernice Catherine Harper Trailblazer Award

Dr. Bernice Catherine Harper, MSW, MScPH, LLD is a prominent leader whose profound impact resonates across social work, hospice care, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB). Her remarkable journey from a segregated upbringing to becoming a vanguard of compassionate end-of-life care embodies resilience, compassion, and unwavering dedication. After an exceptional academic career, Dr. Harper became one of the first Black women to earn a Master of Science in public health from Harvard University, among other notable distinctions. Her career trajectory encompassed pivotal roles at institutions like the City of Hope National Medical Center, where she honed her expertise in hospice care and social work.

As an author, Dr. Harper’s influential works, including “Death: The Coping Mechanism of the Health Professional,” highlighted the complexities of death and dying and provided insights into coping mechanisms for healthcare professionals. Her contributions continue to shape the landscape of hospice and palliative care, fostering holistic approaches to end-of-life support.

In the 1990s, Dr. Harper also played a pivotal role in launching a hospice foundation for sub-Saharan Africa, especially for AIDS patients. Now known as Global Partners in Care, it has nearly 100 hospices in 15 countries and maintains links with many U.S. hospice organizations.

Dr. Harper’s advocacy also impacted hospice care nationally, particularly in her pivotal role in integrating hospice care benefits into Medicare. This achievement revolutionized access to dignified end-of-life care for countless individuals. Her work with the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) focused on ensuring access to hospice care for groups who have been historically marginalized. Her tenure as chair of the National Hospice Organization Task Force on Access to Hospice Care by Minority Groups (now known as the NHPCO Diversity Advisory Council) underscores her unwavering commitment to equity and inclusivity in healthcare. As a founding member of NHPCO’s Diversity Advisory Council, she was instrumental in promoting equitable access to hospice and palliative care for everyone without cultural limitations.

Dr. Harper’s legacy transcends accolades and achievements; it is rooted in her character—dignified, passionate, and committed to serving humanity. Her leadership continues to inspire change, shaping policies and practices that champion DEIB in healthcare.

In recognition of her unparalleled contributions, NHPCO is proud to announce the inaugural Dr. Bernice Catherine Harper Trailblazer Award. This distinguished award honors NHPCO members who exemplify Dr. Harper’s spirit of innovation, compassion, and commitment to celebrating members who advance DEIB within their organizations and provide high-quality, culturally appropriate, person-centered services. As we celebrate Dr. Harper’s lasting legacy, we renew our shared commitment to fostering inclusive, person-centered care for all.

Who is eligible for the Dr. Bernice Catherine Harper Trailblazer Award?

NHPCO Members with an active membership are invited to nominate their staff (individuals or team) or the DEIB work they have accomplished in the past year. To be considered for the award, all applications must be approved by organizational leadership (e.g., the Executive Director or CEO) and received by the submission deadline of Friday, August 2, 2024.

What is the nomination deadline for the Dr. Bernice Catherine Harper Trailblazer Award?

All applications are due on Friday, August 2, 2024.

What is the application process for the Dr. Bernice Catherine Harper Trailblazer Award?

We invite nominations for the Dr. Bernice Harper Trailblazer Award, honoring NHPCO members who showcase exceptional dedication to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB). To acknowledge outstanding efforts, we request impact stories, either written or in video format, illustrating how nominees embody Dr. Harper’s commitment to compassionate, person-centered care. These narratives should provide comprehensive insights into the organization’s initiatives related to DEIB in the following areas: (1) Organizational Diversity, (2) Organizational Culture, (3) Efforts in the Workplace or with Care Delivery; (4) Sustainable Impact, and (5) Lessons Learned.

Supplementary materials for the application

If requested by the review committee, finalists may be asked to submit supplemental materials such as media articles, quotes from staff, patients, and their families, photos highlighting DEIB activities, etc.

Applicants must confirm that by submitting their information via the application form, you give the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) permission to post their pictures and stories on our social media accounts and our blog pages, educational resources, and marketing and outreach materials.

If a photo or story submitted includes a patient, applicants must ensure they have permission to do so and have filled out the proper release forms for your organization.

Submit your application via our online form by midnight on August 2, 2024.

How is the award recipient selected?

Applications will be reviewed by a committee of NHPCO staff. Only the information provided in the award application will be used to determine the award recipient. Applications should be completed assuming the review committee has no prior knowledge of your DEIB program and/or initiatives.

The following criteria will be used to determine the award recipient:

Submissions should include specific examples and evidence of how the nominee’s work aligns with the criteria listed below. The goal is to highlight organizations that embody the principles of DEIB and actively contribute to creating a more inclusive and equitable healthcare environment.

1. Organizational Diversity:

- - Diverse Employee Population: The organization’s workforce includes staff members with a mix of different identities and cultural backgrounds.
  - Leadership Diversity: The presence of diverse representation is not limited to bedside employees and extends to the organization’s leadership team and decision-making bodies

2. Organizational Culture:

- - Cultivating Inclusion: Evidence of initiatives and programs that foster an inclusive workplace environment. Examples include ongoing diversity or health equity training, employee resource groups, and policies that promote inclusivity and respect for all.
  - Focus on DEIB: Demonstrated commitment to DEIB through strategic planning, resource allocation, and continuous improvement efforts. Examples include celebrating cultural events, building culture, supporting underrepresented groups’ professional development, and ensuring equitable hiring practices.

3. Delivery Process:

- - Equitable Access to Care: The staff (individuals or team) should have strategies to promote equitable care for all patients. Examples include having outreach coordinators, liaisons, and/or clinicians who work with patients and families from diverse backgrounds to build trust and ensure understanding of the care delivery process.
  - Culturally Competent Care: Implementation of culturally appropriate care practices that respect and respond to the unique needs of patients from different backgrounds. Examples include language support services, culturally sensitive care plans, and staff training in cultural competence.
  - Community Engagement: Active engagement with diverse communities to understand their needs and incorporate their feedback into care delivery. Examples include partnerships with community organizations, participation in local events, and regular community outreach efforts.

4. Outstanding Work/Efforts/Accomplishments:

- - Innovative Programs and Practices: Introduction of innovative programs or practices that significantly advance DEIB within the organization and/or the communities served.
  - Impactful Outcomes: Demonstrable impact of DEIB initiatives on patient care and/or the employee experience.
  - Leadership and Advocacy: Nominee’s leadership in advocating for DEIB both within the organization and in the broader healthcare community. This includes participation in professional networks, speaking engagements, and contributions to policy development.

How will the award winner be recognized?

The winning organization will receive the 2024 Dr. Bernice Catherine Harper Trailblazer Award during the NHPCO 2024 Annual Leadership Conference in Denver, CO.

In addition to the award ceremony, the recipient will be recognized in various conference materials and communications.

Please note: While the organization will receive recognition through the award, we also want to acknowledge the individuals who ‘do the work’ or ‘manage the accomplishment of the work.’ Award winners are expected to make their best effort to send the staff (individuals or team) directly responsible for the recognized work to the conference to accept the award in person. The winning organization will be notified by August 12, 2024. Information on applying for scholarship assistance to attend will be provided if requested.

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