The ABPN modified its public statements in 2022 to highlight our focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, which remains a priority area in the current strategic plan. View ABPN President and CEO Jeffery Lyness’ video on DEI goals and activities at the ABPN.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement and Policy
The ABPN considers diversity, equity, and inclusion to be among its core values. These values are supported by evidence that: health disparities and inequities in healthcare delivery exist across the U.S. population; health outcomes are improved when the diversity of the healthcare workforce better reflects the patients and families served; and workgroups and other teams achieve better results by encouraging inclusive excellence from diverse perspectives. Accordingly, the ABPN strategic plan includes specific goals and activities related to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion. These goals reflect the ABPN’s commitment to upholding its core values in its products, services, and communications.
The ABPN is equally committed to creating and sustaining an equitable, inclusive, and nondiscriminatory workplace where all employees and volunteers are valued, respected, and provided with equal opportunity for employment and advancement in all departments and programs. In doing so, the ABPN agrees with and abides by all federal and state civil rights laws (e.g., Title VII).
ABPN personnel are expected to uphold these values during work activities in or out of the office and at all other work-related events. They do so by demonstrating behaviors that include respectful communication and cooperation with others, and participation and teamwork with people that may represent different groups and perspectives. Any ABPN employee demonstrating behaviors that do not meet these expectations, or exhibiting any other inappropriate conduct or behaviors, may be subject to disciplinary action. Any ABPN employee who believes they have been subjected to or have witnessed any kind of discrimination that conflicts with the company’s policy and expectations should seek assistance from a supervisor or Human Resources.
ABPN Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Strategic Action Plan
People, Internal Structures, Workplace Culture
Established a board-level DEI Committee
Developed DEI policy and statement
Incorporated DEI into ABPN Strategic Plan as core values and as a priority area
Initiated more open processes for accepting applications from diplomates for committee volunteer and director positions
Committed to fostering an inclusive workplace, including best practices in human resources
Certification and Continuing Certification examinations incorporate evidence-based content on health disparities, inequities of healthcare delivery, and social determinants of health.
Certification and Continuing Certification examinations are developed using guidelines for inclusive language and approaches to patient material.
Article-Based Continuing Certification (ABCC) pathway flags articles with DEI-related content for ready identification.
Industry-standard processes are used to identify and resolve any biased examination content.
External Communications & Collaborations
DEI goals and activities are communicated publicly.
Feedback and experiences with fostering DEI-related work are shared in discussions with leadership of professional organizations and other constituents and interested parties.
Applications for ABPN grant awards that advance knowledge related to DEI content are encouraged.
Public communications are highlighting the breadth of diversity among ABPN personnel.
Additional DEI Resources
Some professional societies and other educational institutions offer CME activities related to DEI topics. Interested diplomates can seek such offerings directly from the societies or institutions.
ABPN
