Inclusion

"Belonging is important because diversity is everywhere around us and it’s easy to feel isolated in places you feel you don’t fit in. Feeling a sense of belonging brings purpose to your everyday endeavors."

"Belonging lays the foundation for someone to bring their authentic self to any situation and that is when you can really thrive. Everyone deserves to bring their authentic self to work. No one should ever feel they have to hide who they are in our department. "

"I think of belonging as an essential human need (like air, shelter, safety). In order to thrive, all human beings need to feel we are full members of a larger social community that values and respects us for who we really are, and for the unique gifts and perspectives we bring to the collective table." 

"I feel a strong sense of belonging at work during our monthly administrative meetings. I've always appreciated how our Assistant Division Manager, Julie Hutchinson leads with an open-minded and welcoming demeanor that truly makes all the difference in our everyday."

"In one of our daily huddles before Thanksgiving, we spoke about things we were thankful for. I lost my mother in June 2022 and I spoke of being grateful for the memories I had, which made me emotional. The sense of love and embrace that I felt from the team—just consoling, many knowing exactly how I felt—made me feel so protected and cared for..."

"I felt a sense of belonging when I was included in Audrey Schafer's writing for medicine group. I could freely discuss what matters to me — and why — about the topics of health and healing. I appreciated talking with others over lunch about intersectionality, which can create new ways of looking at aging."