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Diversity in Healthcare

For Karlita Warren, PhD, ATC, her professional ability being questioned happens more often than can be recalled. “Often, it is quite obvious that it is related to my race and gender,” said Warren.

As an example, Warren recalls, “I evaluated a patient, explained their injury to them, and the course of treatment for recovery. They later went to a colleague to verify my proposed patient care, saying: ‘well, she is just different so I needed to make sure.’ The patient was surprised to discover that my colleague provided corroborating information to the diagnosis and plan I had provided.”

For Warren, biases and barriers related to her race and gender push her to exert maximum efforts. “I work twice as hard and twice as much to prove myself and to prove my worth as a quality healthcare professional.”

As an athletic trainer, health professor, and health educator, Cenell Boch, MS, AT, overcomes barriers by focusing on the patient. “As an individual who has been involved in the healthcare profession for over 20 years, diversity is really a second thought. My primary focus and concern is to provide the best healthcare and treatment that I can for any client or patient that I interact or treat,” said Boch. “When I walk into a situation or into a room to treat my athlete, patient, or client, I see them as a whole being-mind, body, and spirit. This person is relying on me to help them to heal and feel better and assisting with their healing process is my primary focus.”

Boch, like Warren, recognizes that her diversity can sometimes present biases, but her focus on helping others leads her forward.

“My diverse background (the color of my skin or the fact that I’m a female) may be an initial thought for my clients; however, they quickly realize my sincerity, compassion, and genuine concern for their overall health and well-being. My athletes and clients readily listen to the information and treatment plan that I provide for them because they respect the knowledge and care that I provide for them.”

Through her dedication and expertise, Boch finds success. “I’m happy to say that I’ve been quite successful in assisting my clients and athletes to heal and become well,” said Boch.

Warren also has found success through her dedication to the profession and her care for patients. She uses that success to be an advocate for diversity within healthcare.

“I take every opportunity afforded me to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, not only in the health professions but in society,” said Warren. She believes that change will come through “education about cultural differences, as well as a personal reflection regarding one’s own biases and how they may impact patient care or interactions with colleagues, and vulnerability to move out of one’s comfort zone to grow, expand, and learn.”

She adds, “We must transition from fixed mindsets to growth mindsets in order to become more culturally aware and to practice healthcare with cultural humility and cultural competence.”

Boch finds opportunities as a healthcare educator to help future healthcare providers work through issues of diversity, as well as through being a role model for others. “I think young minority professionals are encouraged when they see someone who ‘looks like them’ succeed as an educator, clinician, and business owner,” said Boch.

Diversity among healthcare providers is important in all aspects of healthcare. Warren has seen her diverse background positively impact her work environment. “The diversity I bring has allowed me to positively influence colleagues by encouraging introspective reflection of their own personal biases and its potential influence on patient-clinician interactions.”

For her, it’s even opened doors to inspiring further change. “I have been afforded several opportunities for service work and research in health and healthcare disparities, as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion. Each of these platforms provides opportunities for positive change toward a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive healthcare system.”

Diversity also makes a difference in patient care, especially when caring for diverse populations. “The diversity I bring as a healthcare provider has allowed me to have increased empathy for my patients and to provide care from a holistic perspective. It allows me to embrace cultural differences and cultural preferences when caring for my patients,” said Warren.

Boch said, “Diversity within healthcare is important because it allows us to understand our patients more fully. Diversity allows for a deeper understanding of various perspectives and experiences that make up the American culture. There are many health disparities that have existed for quite a long time (decades in fact) and diversity allows us to be able to look at the community at large from various lenses, not just one perspective. This will allow us to be able to treat the community at large more effectively. By understanding the social determinants of health for various populations we can treat the population at large in a more effective fashion.”

As the nation continues to become aware and better discuss topics related to diversity, disparity, bias, and barriers, addressing those topics within healthcare is critical.

“Diversity in healthcare fosters an environment where each person is respected, appreciated, and celebrated for the differences they bring to the delivery of healthcare and the various healthcare professions,” added Warren.

Sharing the experiences of healthcare providers like Warren and Boch is important in addressing the barriers and improving accessibility and quality of healthcare. As Boch said, diversity adds “to the richness and culture of a clinical, educational, and business setting just by having the varying perspectives sitting at the table. And it will allow us to better be able to treat the community at large.”

By Stephanie Bentley, University Marketing & Communications Manager

Cenell Boch is a Licensed Certified Athletic Trainer, Founder & President of C&C, Inc., and Owner of Wellness with Cenell, LLC. She earned a master’s in Exercise Physiology from the University of Akron and a bachelor’s in Sports Medicine from the University of Mount Union. She is currently working toward a Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. Boch counts it a blessing to be the wife of her loving husband, Wayne; mother of two teenage sons, Daniel and Fendrich “Richy”; and stepmom to three charismatic adult children, Lindsey, William, and Samantha.

 

Karlita L. Warren received her Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences in Athletic Training from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions and has been a BOC Certified Athletic Trainer for over 20 years. She is the founder and owner of The Kizo Effect, LLC. The Kizo Effect, LLC, is a health and wellness company and consulting firm for diversity, equity, and inclusion in healthcare. Warren is also an assistant professor in athletic training at the University of La Verne and serves on several local, regional, and national professional committees. Her research interests include traumatic brain injuries, racial and ethnic health disparities and healthcare disparities, microaggressions in healthcare, underrepresented minority enrollment and retention in athletic training education and profession, and patient simulations in athletic training education. She is married and has one son.