Scripps Collaborative for Health Equity
Focusing on research, access and community programs
Focusing on research, access and community programs
As one of the largest health care networks in Southern California, Scripps Health is committed to fostering multicultural diversity and promoting health equity as both a provider and an employer. Health equity is important because it allows everyone the opportunity to be as healthy as possible regardless of race, ethnicity, age, gender, location, socioeconomic status or other demographic factors.
The Scripps Collaborative for Healthcare Equity is one initiative among our regional and local efforts that seeks to fulfill this commitment. It is designed to promote equity in health care through initiatives and key programs that are focused on workforce diversity, inclusion in research, and access to high-quality, culturally competent health care for patients from all backgrounds.
Strategic priorities
The Scripps Collaborative for Healthcare Equity is dedicated to establishing excellence in community health equity and its outcomes in our vulnerable populations through three strategic priorities:
1. Focus and expand research efforts on health care disparities
2. Improve access to culturally appropriate health care resources
3. Expand community interventions and programs for multicultural populations
Focus and expand research efforts on health care disparities
Focus and expand research efforts on health care disparities
The collaborative is committed to studying diversity and inclusion in health care and identifying improvements to promote community health equity through the following initiatives:
- Establish an annual $75,000 peer-reviewed research grant to address disparity in health care delivery systems
- Host an annual symposium on health disparities research for Scripps researchers and providers
- Establish a health care disparities research program to provide resources for disparities researchers and trainees
- Explore potential partnerships with similar organizations
Improve access to culturally appropriate health care resources
Improve access to culturally appropriate health care resources
Through the following approach, we strive to promote health equity programs and policies that include diversity and inclusion in the workplace, in our health care facilities and throughout the community:
- Recruit and retain a diverse community of physicians and staff
- Develop culturally and linguistically appropriate health care resources and programs for underserved and minority populations
- Support patients with accessing culturally linguistic and appropriate services after they leave our care
Expand community interventions and programs for multicultural populations
Expand community interventions and programs for multicultural populations
With a focus on achieving community health equity, the collaborative utilizes the following strategies to establish resources founded on diversity and inclusion for all:
- Develop and expand culturally tailored community programs on cancer and cardiovascular health
- Enhance youth programs focused on building a pipeline of diverse students pursuing health careers
- Develop an undergraduate pipeline program for transition into medical school
Steering Committee
Scripps Collaborative for Health Equity Steering Committee
Director: Juan Tovar, MD
Co-Director: Kendra Brandstein, Director, Community Benefit Services
Steering Committee members
- Toluwalase A. Ajayi, MD
- Anette Blatt, Director, Community Benefits
- Nathaniel Brown, Director, Clinical Performance Analytics
- Melissa Campos, MD, Assistant Director, Family Medicine
- Marianne McKennett, MD
- Athena Philis-Tsimikas, MD
- Elisa Quiroz, MD, Scholar
- Emily San Diego, Research Assistant
- Porscha Smith, Administrative Coordinator
- Marin Xavier, MD
“Addressing disparities and working to achieve equity in health care means more effective and efficient care for everyone. Healthier individuals create healthier communities, and healthier communities require less medical care.”
– Juan Tovar, MD, Scripps Collaborative for Healthcare Equity Director and Emergency Medicine Physician