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Blog Medica May 1, 2024
Author Rose Judkins, Director of Inclusion

What’s the Big IDEA? Medica evolves commitment to DEI

While private and public organizations and universities have shied away from DEI efforts recently due to political polarization, I'm proud to share Medica has renewed its commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) with support from our leaders and our board.

Our small but mighty DEI team recently rolled out our redefined approach - IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility) -- at a lively Lunch & Learn session for our employees. While all areas are equally essential, IDEA puts a spotlight on a new area for us: Accessibility, which respects diverse abilities and provides reasonable access for all from the interview process to employees' daily work.

The important work of IDEA supports our diverse member population while impacting our reputation and employee retention. Medica's Board of Directors actively supports these efforts and participated in a Cultural Humility training session.

While DEI is not a new concept for Medica, it's still in its infancy with three years of full-time, dedicated staff. In that time, we've made great strides, which include 70% women in professional positions, 50% women in leadership, and the creation of six Employee Resource Groups (ERGs):

  • Medica Pride
  • WISE (women in search of excellence)
  • Medica Pride
  • Medica Salutes
  • InspirASIANs
  • HOLA
  • Medica Black Excellence.

Our ERGs provide safe spaces for people to be who they are and celebrate their uniqueness.

Annually, we survey our employees, and one significant measure is their belief in Medica's inclusiveness. In our 2023 survey, we achieved a score of 78% on the Inclusion Index, an above-average rating.

Our objective is to create an inclusive environment, which means all individuals have a voice in the conversation, are valued, and feel a place of authentic belonging. I asked our Medica team to reflect on this - Inclusion is an action word; what are you doing to make others feel included?

Up next, Medica will roll out a Diverse Abilities (aka Disability) ERG, create an Inclusive Leadership course, and continue the Talent Mobility Program, which offers and opportunity for ERG members to explore career advancement and learn from our leaders.

Medica's Inclusion Partner Laterrica Moore summed it up nicely with this poem, entitled Embracing a New Idea.


Someone once said, "Inclusion is an action,
Diversity's a fact, & Equity's a choice.
With this in mind, let's redefine our commitment with a new IDEA."

Inclusion isn't just a buzzword,
it's the steps we take, and the paths we walk.

Diversity isn't merely a checkbox,
it's the vibrant tapestry of humanity,
woven with threads of varied experiences, and identities.

Equity is the choice we make each day,
guiding us to dismantle barriers,
to level the field, in every way.

Accessibility is not just a trend,
but ensuring everyone's included,
all the way to the end.

As the Trusted Health Plan of Choice,
we amplify each individual's voice.
In this mission, we stand as a community,
for the health and well-being of all, striving for unity.