Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Action...
Aligned with ENA's organizational goals, the need for equity and inclusiveness in health care has never been greater. The Emergency Nurses Association is firmly committed to embracing the diversity of its members, staff, organization, profession, and, ultimately, the patient communities it serves.
ENA's DEI Vision Statement
The Emergency Nurses Association will create a culture and climate of mutual respect, inclusion and equity that empowers its members, volunteers, and staff to create healthy environments within our organization and within the emergency nursing
community.
The work of this program aligns with ENA’s core value of inclusion and directly impacts the Community and Culture goals by creating a welcoming environment that encourages diversity of thought and inclusivity for the emergency nursing community and nurtures and strengthens ENA's organizational culture.
ENA's DEI Mission Statement
ENA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives will guide and hold ENA accountable to provide consistent and intentionally impactful engagement within the highlighted goals below to foster change
and growth throughout ENA, its members, staff, and the communities it serves.
- Guide the profession to become better providers through greater awareness and understanding of structural and social determinant of health, including racism and other forms of bias.
- Develop educational opportunities that create awareness and understanding of the treatment of diverse patients.
- Continue to be a thought leader and model association through its DEI efforts.
Chair, ENA DEI Committee
Anna Valdez, PhD, RN, FAEN, FAADN
Pronouns: she|her
Department Chair, School of Nursing
Sonoma State University
“One of my favorite resources for nurses who want to understand and abolish racism is Overdue Reckoning on Racism in Nursing.”
Chair, ENA DEI Committee
Hershaw Davis, Jr., MSN, RN
Pronouns: He|Him|His
Clinical Faculty, School of Nursing
University of Maryland – Baltimore
A quote that resonates strongly with me is one by Lena Waithe, “The only way you really see change, is by helping create it.”
ENA DEI Executive Champion
Bridget Walsh, MBA
Pronouns: She|Her|Hers
Chief Operating Officer, ENA
A quote that drives me comes from the children's book We're All Wonders by R.J. Palacio, "Look with kindness and you will always find wonder."
ENA Staff DEI Council
The volunteer Staff Council consists of 25 members representing all departments and divisions of ENA.
Key DEI Definitions
This list of key terms is a starting place for mutual understanding and dialogue. Please explore additional resources for a more comprehensive DEI framework.
Diversity includes all ways people differ, and it encompasses all the different characteristics that make one individual or group different from another. A broad definition includes not only race, ethnicity, gender, age, national origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, education, marital status, language, and physical appearance. It also involves different ideas, perspectives and values. (Harvard Human Resources)
Equity ensures that all individuals receive just and fair inclusion into a society in which all can participate, prosper, and reach their full potential. Equity creates conditions where all individuals are allowed authentic engagement into a society (i.e., local community, place of employment, profession, etc.) where their viewpoints and opinions are valued. (Harvard Human Resources)
Inclusion: Authentically bringing traditionally excluded individuals and/ or groups into processes, activities, and decision/policy making in a way that shares power and ensures equal access to opportunities and resources. (National Association of Colleges and Employers)
Harvard Human Resources: Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (DIB) Glossary of Terms
The Language of Identity: Using Inclusive Language (University of Missouri)
ENA DEI Committee: 2022-2023
Anna Valdez, PhD, MSN, RN, CEN, CFRN, CNE, FAEN (Chairperson)
Hershaw Davis, Jr., MSN, RN
(Chairperson)
Jennifer Bevacqua, RN, CPNP-AC, CPNP-PC
Tangela Faulk, RN
Aaron Dinger, MSN, BSN, RN
Debra Wilcox, BSN, RN
Jen Kinson, RN
Matthew J. Benevides, BSN, RN, CEN, TCRN, CPEN
Nancy Mannion, DNP, MS, RN, CEN, FAEN
Justin Milici, MSN RN CEN CPEN CCRN CPN TCRN FAEN
Kieva Skinner, BSN, RN, CEN
Joop Breuer, RN, FAEN (Board Liaison)
Cultural Awareness Calendar
Join ENA in recognizing key dates that celebrate cultural, identity and group awareness.
| January Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day International Day of Commemoration in Memory of Victims of the Holocaust | July Americans with Disabilities Act Observance |
| February Black History Month Chinese New Year | August International Day of the World’s Indigenous People Women’s Equality Day |
| March Cherokee Nation Remembrance Day International Women's Day International Transgender Day of Visibility | September National Hispanic Heritage Month National Recovery Month |
| April Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Month Gathering Nations World Autism Awareness Day Ramadan | October Global Diversity Awareness Month National Disability Employment Awareness Month National Polish American Heritage Month Indigenous People’s Day Diwali |
| May Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Mental Health Awareness Month Asian American and Pacific Islanders Heritage Month Jewish American Heritage Month International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia | November Native American Heritage Month Transgender Day of Remembrance |
| June Pride Month Caribbean American Heritage Month Juneteenth | December International Day of Persons with Disabilities International Human Rights Day |
Cultural Awareness Resources
ENA Resources
ENA has compiled an array of content to support DEI learning and engagement. Come read, watch and learn with the association on your DEI journey!
Webinars
LGBTQIA2+ Inclusivity in Pregnancy Related Care
Structural Racism in Healthcare
Racism in Healthcare
Equity and Health Justice in the ED
Words Matter: Using and Promoting Inclusive and Unbiased Language
Antiracism Resources for Nurses: Books and Articles
Podcast (Episode 42): Exploring What’s Next for DEI in Emergency Nursing
Anna Valdez, PhD, MSN, RN, CEN, CFRN, CNE, FAEN
Audio Interview: A Cultural Conversation: Health Care Equity and Access in a Pandemic
ENA member Donnella James, RN, and New York Times best-selling author Mikki Kendall
Toolkit: Care of LGBTQ Patients in the Emergency Care Setting (Member Access)
The toolkit is divided into eight sections, each of which speaks to unique considerations of emergency nursing in providing care to LGBTQ patients. Depending on learning needs, one may opt to read the toolkit in its entirety or focus on particular
sections. Stories of LGBTQ patients in the emergency department are woven throughout, with a case study section at the end.
Nonmembers click here.
Position Statement: Cultural Diversity and Gender Inclusivity in the Emergency Care Setting (Member Access)
Nonmembers click here.
Topic Brief: Care of the Gender Expansive and Transgender Patient in the Emergency Care Setting (Member Access)
Nonmembers click here.
Staff Recommendations
Advancing Health Equity: A Guide to Language, Narratives, and Concepts
CDC Inclusive Communication Guide: Communication outputs should reflect and speak to the needs of people in the audience of focus. The following provides guidance on key principles, preferred terms and inclusive imagery considerations toward ongoing shift of non-stigmatizing communication.
White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack: In her 1989 essay, published in Peace and Freedom Magazine, American scholar Peggy McIntosh reflects on white privilege, and offers readers the opportunity to do the same by sharing 50 examples of white privilege in everyday life.
NPR Workplace Diversity: Steps for Leaders/Managers
Asian Americans Advancing Justice (Chicago): Bystander Intervention training
Ten "Must watch" Black History Documentaries (developed by PBS.org)
American Archive of Public Broadcasting: In collaboration with the Library of Congress, GBH in Boston has worked to preserve material on Black subjects from public radio and television programs, digitizing it and making it available online for free. This includes - more than 40,000 hours of content by Black authors, journalists, musicians, and politicians who were given a platform through public broadcasting.
Member Engagement
ENA is dedicated to promoting diversity, equity and inclusivity. Wherever you are in your DEI journey, here are ways that you can be more engaged and get involved with ENA.
- Complete this short survey to share your ideas for DEI content.
- Mark your calendars for the next call for volunteers (Fall 2024) for the DEI Member Committee. The call generally opens late August and closes late September.
- If you have DEI expertise and/or would like to refer a colleague, please contact: DEI@ena.org
- Reflect, share, actively listen and always be willing to learn more!
Share your story with us at DEI@ena.org
- Are you interested in sharing your DEI story?
- Have you learned something in the DEI space?
Partner Participation
Interested in support of ENA’s DEI efforts? Here is how you can help:
- Submit your educational and content recommendations to DEI@ena.org
Awards and Recognition
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Initiatives of the Year Award:
This award recognizes an individual member, group of individuals, state councils, emergency departments and/or hospitals whose efforts to create or lead an innovative initiative that align with ENA’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity Program Charter and demonstrate a measurable impact on the delivery of health care.
The 2023 Annual Achievement Awards submission period is now closed. The 2024 application period will open January 2024.
Emergency Nursing Diverse Voices Research Fellowship:
The ENA Foundation and Emergency Nursing Research Advisory Council are excited for the next class of diverse voices. The ENDVR Fellowship is the chance for new emergency care researchers from historically underrepresented populations to get the resources they need to grow, help create a broader perspective in emergency nursing research and make an impact in their field.
Please note that the ENDVR Fellowship creates an opportunity to elevate the voices of new and diverse groups in the hopes of creating a broader perspective in emergency nursing research.
Successful applicants receive financial assistance for their research project and professional development including ENA annual conference attendance, meetings and education sessions; mentorship from the ENR Advisory Council; and a committed and engaging experience for up to two years. The submission period for the fellowship is now closed. Click here to review the application and criteria.
