June 23, 2022 — Expanding workforce diversity and inclusivity at the UF College of Medicine is one way to improve health equity for patients. With this in mind, the college is creating a resource to assist hiring managers, human resources professionals, leadership and search committees find the most qualified candidates.

Amelia Baiden, M.B.A., and Will Stephens, HR business partners at the College of Medicine, are leading the creation of a document with resources on best hiring practices for diversity and inclusivity. The project is underway as part of the diversity, inclusion and health care equity pillar in the strategic plan introduced last year by Dean Colleen Koch, M.D., M.S., M.B.A.

“The inclusive recruitment and hiring guide will be shared with stakeholders in the recruitment process. While this is primarily for faculty and executive-level positions, it will also serve as a great aid for staff positions,” Baiden said. “The College of Medicine is being proactive and forward-thinking by having these tools and resources at hand.”

Some of the best practices in the document include guidance on providing and creating more thorough job descriptions, strategically sourcing job postings to diverse organizations and creating a diversity dashboard so leaders can see teams’ up-to-the-moment demographic composition.

The best practices resource will be a living document, Baiden said, allowing the college to update the guide as goals progress over time.

HR will help stakeholders create and reach measurable inclusive hiring goals to increase diversity within the college, enhance processes and procedures, and meet the goals set by Koch under the strategic plan, Baiden said.

“You have to have a plan of action and measurable outcomes to increase the equity and fairness of an environment,” she said. “We find that is the best way to have a lasting effect on the culture of a workplace and our college as a whole. I am excited to see how the UF College of Medicine will lead the nation in promoting and celebrating workplace diversity and inclusion by implementing intentional strategies to advance health care equity and access to care.”