October 17, 2023 (Phoenix, AZ) – Modern Healthcare has named Dru Bhattacharya, JD, MPH, LLM, EMBA, Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) Officer for Banner Health, a Diversity Leader to Watch in Healthcare for 2023. The program honors leaders and organizations that are influencing health care diversity policy and care delivery models and highlighting the continued need to nurture diversity in their own organizations.
This recognition honor’s Bhattacharya’s work to expand DE&I initiatives throughout Banner Health’s 30 hospitals and health centers across six states and to improve the experience of its 52,000-plus employees and its many patients. He is the system’s first Chief DE&I Officer, and in that role, he facilitates strategic development, operations, and engagement with team members, patients and communities to advance DE&I.
"The individuals and organizations named to Modern Healthcare's 2023 Top Diversity Leaders exemplify a commitment to meaningful diversity, equity and inclusion. They have exceeded industry standards and devote essential resources to create internal opportunities while advancing community health equity, setting a great example for others," said Dan Peres, President of Modern Healthcare.
Since joining Banner in 2022, Bhattacharya has developed and launched a five-year strategy to enhance Banner’s standing as a national leader in DE&I. He expanded the scope of DE&I to address team members, patients, and communities; designed and launched new trainings and initiatives, which have received regional and national recognition; secured federal grants to advance health equity; and continues to focus on enhancing workforce development, clinical partnerships and community engagement.
“Dru has devoted his distinguished career to assessing the disproportionate effect of illness on vulnerable populations and to advancing DE&I programs and community initiatives to help remedy these disparities,” said Julie Ann Alvarado-Dubek, Chief Human Resources for Banner Health and a member of its senior leadership team. “We are thrilled to see this recognition of his work to advance DE&I at Banner and create a model for the U.S. health care system to become more accessible and welcoming to all.”
Bhattacharya’s leadership contributed to Banner being named by Newsweek as a Great Workplace for Women and Great Workplace for Diversity. A nationally recognized leader, he is a frequent speaker at major conferences, has published books and articles in peer reviewed journals, and has held volunteer leadership positions with organizations advancing public health at the state, national, and global levels.
The 2023 Top Diversity Leaders in Healthcare are featured in the magazine’s October 16 issue and online at ModernHealthcare.com/awards/top-diversity-leaders-healthcare-2023.
About Modern Healthcare
Modern Healthcare is the most trusted business news and information brand in the healthcare industry. Modern Healthcare empowers healthcare leaders and influencers to make timely and informed business decisions. To learn more or subscribe, go to www.modernhealthcare.com/subscriptions.
About Banner Health
Banner Health is one of the largest, secular nonprofit health care systems in the country. In addition to 33 hospitals, Banner also operates an academic medicine division, Banner – University Medicine, and Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center, a partnership with one of the world’s leading cancer programs, MD Anderson Cancer Center. Banner’s array of services includes a health insurance division, employed physician groups, outpatient surgery centers, urgent care locations, home care and hospice services, retail pharmacies, stand-alone imaging centers, physical therapy and rehabilitation, behavioral health services, a research division and a nursing registry. To make health care easier, 100% of Banner-employed doctors are available for virtual visits and patients may also reserve spots at Banner Urgent Care locations and can book appointments online with many Banner-employed doctors. Headquartered in Arizona, Banner Health also has locations in California, Colorado, Nebraska, Nevada and Wyoming. For more information, visit bannerhealth.com.
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