Providing culturally competent care

Geisinger has long recognized the value of – and embraced – diversity. Geisinger is committed to:

• Ensuring that respect and inclusion are foundational to our policies, operations and services; 
• Promoting diversity across the Geisinger family and leadership; and
• Cross-cultural training and continuous learning to help eliminate health disparities and enable the best care and care experience for every patient, every time.

Diversity encompasses much more than gender, race and ethnic background. It includes cultural beliefs, religion, sexual orientation, age, size, and physical and mental ability. It also includes social and economic status that impact health. All these factors may influence individuals’ expectations, needs and preferences for their own health practices and the care we offer.

Being inclusive, welcoming, and responsive to the needs of individuals and populations is vital not only to developing and sustaining a diverse workforce across the Geisinger family - but also to providing quality, compassionate care to all members of the communities we serve.

A diverse Geisinger family is an essential foundation for culturally competent care. The more inclusive our workforce, the better we can understand and reflect our communities, patients and members.

Accepting and understanding each patient is fundamental to quality care. Considering patient beliefs and perspectives can be as important as an accurate diagnosis in providing the right care. Tapping a rich variety of experience and perspectives helps us all better practice the values of kindness, excellence, learning and innovation.