MENU Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation Learn About Hazelden Betty Ford About Us Support Our Mission News and Media Why Choose Hazelden Betty Ford? Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Leadership Request Medical Records Contact Us The imperative America and its healthcare industry have historically neglected and marginalized people who struggle with alcohol and other drug use. When the Hazelden Foundation and later the Betty Ford Center—now combined as the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation—emerged in the second half of the 20th century to pioneer an addiction treatment field offering dignity and respect to this stigmatized population, we did so outside the context of healthcare amid a lack of public compassion for, knowledge of, or patience for "alcoholics" and "addicts." From the beginning, we were a voice for underserved, marginalized people. At the same time, our own cultural frame of reference was limited and, as a result, our advocacy was for a narrow demographic of the total population affected by addiction. Today, that's a very humbling admission that we accept. Racial issues have always been present in America's drug- and addiction-related attitudes, policies and responses. Historian William White writes: "The second alcohol was introduced within the contact between Europeans and Native Americans, race, culture and class became an inflammatory element within the history of American alcohol and other drug use and related policies." From anti-opioid campaigns that targeted Chinese immigrants in the late 19th Century, to the modern War on Drugs that has disproportionately harmed people of color, to the current opioid epidemic that seems to elicit more compassion than previous drug crises because it affects white kids in the suburbs, to the still-gaping racial disparities in access to addiction care—it is clear that diversity, equity and inclusion are mission-critical for any organization seeking to reduce the negative impact of addiction. Hazelden Betty Ford recognizes we have much more work to do and many more bridges to build. Having evolved into a national system of care, now aligning with and merging into mainstream healthcare, we have an obligation to ourselves, our communities, and our industry to lift up more voices and broaden our banner. We are actively engaged in this work now and committed long-term to ensuring Hazelden Betty Ford honors, serves and advocates for people from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds. "We can do better, and we aspire to do better," said President and CEO Joseph Lee, MD. Our collective ability to meet the challenges of today and thrive in the future is directly connected to having a diverse workforce, an inclusive culture, a strong presence in diverse communities, and the provision of culturally responsive care. To that end, in early 2019, the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation embarked on a strategic and sustainable journey for change in procedures, decision-making processes and the allocation of resources. Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Vision Statement We are an inclusive organization that honors, serves and advocates for people from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds, reflecting and embracing differences. Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation Definitions Diversity embraces our individual differences across all facets of life and lived experience. Equity establishes and ensures accountability to policies and practices that give access, opportunity and advancement, while striving to identify and eliminate systemic barriers that prevent the full participation of individuals and communities that have been marginalized and underrepresented. Inclusion intentionally fosters an environment so any individual or group is and feels welcomed, respected, supported, and valued. What we are doing to affect long-term, sustainable change While the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation has many areas of strength, our seven-decades-old organization has much work to do to truly serve all who are affected by substance use disorder and to eliminate disparities in access to treatment. The following focus areas and goals will guide our transformation to meet the challenges of today and the days ahead. Inclusive Culture Build a culturally competent organization Develop an infrastructure that creates and reinforces an inclusive culture Ensure fair and equitable treatment of everyone Diverse Workforce Increase the diversity of our workforce at all levels Recruit and retain employees from underrepresented populations Patients, Families and Students Increase the diverse customer, patient, family and student populations that we reach and serve Increase staff and student clinical cultural responsiveness Community Improve and broaden access to underrepresented communities Establish and consistently utilize a framework for employees to provide feedback on community outreach efforts and impact Drive acquisition and partnership with other health care organizations focused on improving access to quality care and resources for marginalized and underrepresented individuals and communities If you have questions about diversity, equity and inclusion at the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, please reach out to us at DEI@HazeldenBettyFord.org. Meet Our Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Andrew Williams Williams will drive cultural and behavior change across the organization to increase diversity, advance equity and foster inclusion. Serving as a strategic partner with others throughout Hazelden Betty Ford, he will champion DEI awareness, understanding, allyship and advocacy as well as the advancement of underrepresented groups. He aims to inspire others through example, challenge colleagues to live up to institutional values and legal obligations, and engage in creative and meaningful intercultural experiences. The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee at the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation is comprised of 20 employees who reflect diversity in position, age, tenure, geographic location, gender identity, sexual orientation, race and ethnicity. They have each committed to a minimum three-year term, and each has a role on at least one focus area subcommittee (listed below). The DEI committee is chaired by two motivated, passionate leaders: Ahmed Eid, MA, LADC National Director of COR-12® Program and Director of Hazelden Betty Ford in Naples, Florida DEI Committee Co-Chair "Without diversity we limit ourselves to a narrow and rigid frame¬work that inhibits our ability to create, innovate and subsequently grow, and I believe that we have a moral obligation to be equitable and fair, which is consistent with my values and what I believe is right." Jessica Haney, MA, CADC I Addiction Program Manager | Newberg, Oregon DEI Committee Co-Chair "The future of this institute and the healing we do in the community heavily rely on our ability to heal our organization. This can only be done through equality, justice and solidarity, which is the very essence that DEI is capable of." Executive Leadership Team Sponsor Melissa Fors Vice President of Marketing Strategy, Center City, Minnesota Committee Leaders Jessica Haney Addiction Program Manager, Newberg, Oregon Ahmed Eid National Director of COR-12® Program and Director of Hazelden Betty Ford in Naples, Florida Committee and Subcommittee Members Community Subcommittee Natasha Bailey Children's Program Counselor, Rancho Mirage, California Melissa Fors Vice President of Marketing Strategy, Center City, Minnesota Emily Piper Executive Director of Government Relations and Government Contracting, St. Paul, Minnesota Jazmin Thomas Technology Services Project Manager, Center City, Minnesota David Wilke Vice President of Development and Campaign Strategy, Chicago Diverse Workforce Subcommittee Lauren Fish Director, Chicago, Illinois Justine Giwa Manager Clinical Nursing, Plymouth, Minnesota Samantha Moy-Gottfried Communications and Public Affairs Manager, Center City Cleidy Ortiz-Greene Addiction Counselor 2, Chicago, Illinois Cedric Skillon Psychiatrist, Telehealth Inclusive Culture Subcommittee Shelby Banken Addiction Counselor 2, Plymouth, Minnesota Adrian Downing-Espinal Addiction Counselor 1, New York Ahmed Eid National Director of COR-12® Program and Director of Hazelden Betty Ford in Naples, Florida Orlando Harding Addiction Counselor 3, Rancho Mirage, California Patients, Families, and Students Subcommittee Sarah Beth Beckham Mental Health Internship Training Director, Center City, Minnesota Princess Drake Mental Health Practitioner, Center City, Minnesota Manuel Garcia Supervisor Outpatient Program, St. Paul, Minnesota Jessica Haney Addiction Program Manager, Newberg, Oregon In the News & Additional Resources Turning Point Inc., Hazelden Betty Ford Initiate Collaboration New CEO of Hazelden Betty Ford puts focus on increasing access to communities of color Hazelden Betty Ford Names Andrew Williams Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion A Measure of Justice as Nation's Racial Reckoning Continues Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation response to the death of George Floyd Minnesota CEOs join together in response to recent tragedy The Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation is a force of healing and hope for individuals, families and communities affected by addiction to alcohol and other drugs. As the nation's leading nonprofit provider of comprehensive inpatient and outpatient treatment for adults and youth, the Foundation has 17 locations nationwide and collaborates with an expansive network throughout health care. With a legacy that began in 1949 and includes the 1982 founding of the Betty Ford Center, the Foundation today also encompasses a graduate school of addiction studies, a publishing division, an addiction research center, recovery advocacy and thought leadership, professional and medical education programs, school-based prevention resources and a specialized program for children who grow up in families with addiction. 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Help For Families Addiction Intervention Types of Addiction TREATMENT Treatment Models Specialized Treatment Programs Mental Health Services Family and Children's Program Admissions Choosing a Treatment Center Insurance Medical Records and Billing Information Pay Your Bill Online RECOVERY Preventing Relapse Alumni Families & Friends Recovery Tools EDUCATION Graduate School of Addiction Studies Butler Center For Research Medical and Professional Education PROFESSIONALS How to Refer a Patient Patient Care Network ABOUT US About Us Why Choose Us Testimonials Careers For Help, Call1-866-831-5700 ADMISSIONS AND GENERAL INFORMATION 1-866-831-5700 PO Box 11 Center City, MN 55012-2011 MEDICAL RECORDS 1-651-213-4492 MEDIA INQUIRIES 1-866-831-5700 ext. 4231 HAZELDEN PUBLISHING 1-800-328-9000 PO Box 176 Center City, MN 55012-0176 GRADUATE SCHOOL OF ADDICTION STUDIES 1-866-831-5700 ext. 4175 PO Box 11 C09 15251 Pleasant Valley Road Center City, MN 55012-0011 Stay in the Know with Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation Emails Sign Up Terms of Use Privacy Notice of Privacy Practices Accessibility Nondiscrimination © 2021 Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation. 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