Ronald Copeland, Senior Vice President of National Diversity and Inclusion Strategy and Policy & Chief Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity Officer at Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Hospitals discusses his past experience & what led him to Kaiser, what he’s currently focused on, how he’s thinking about investments, and more.
Summary
Ronald Copeland Discusses His Experience and Focus on Health Equity
Introduction
Dr. Ronald Copeland, a retired general surgeon and former executive medical director, is the Senior Vice President of National Equity Inclusion and Diversity Strategy and Policy, and Chief Equity Inclusion and Diversity Officer for Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Hospitals. Copeland's parents were part of the great migration to the north to escape discrimination in the south.
Copeland's Background and Inspiration
Copeland was inspired to pursue a career in medicine after traveling to West Africa, Sierra Leone, during his sophomore year at Dartmouth College. Currently, he is focusing on health equity, which requires assessing systems, culture behaviors, and policies within and outside an organization, understanding what is contributing to barriers, and finding opportunities for improvements through equity-centered design.
Copeland's Approach to Investments and Technology
Copeland believes that investments and advancements in technology offer exciting possibilities to improve health equity. He emphasizes that we need to seize the moment and challenge the status quo with bold moves to bring access to the communities that need it most. With courageous leadership and the right approach, we can create more equitable systems that benefit everyone.
Copeland's Vision for the Future
According to Copeland, the key to unlocking a better future is through equity-centered design and addressing the root causes contributing to disparities. He encourages organizations to assess their culture, policies, and systems to identify and eliminate barriers. Copeland believes that by understanding the broader context of health equity, we can create more inclusive and equitable systems that benefit everyone.
Note: This is an AI generated transcript, not edited by a staff writer and is solely intended for educational purposes. If you have any questions/concerns, reach out to podcasts@beckershealthcare.com
This episode aired on 10/08/2022 and can be listened here.
Subscribe to Beckers Healthcare Podcast here.