Deborah Whitfield, Director of Diversity Equity & Inclusion for Community Health Network, has been with the organization since 1995. Prior to this role, Deborah served Community as a coordinator for the respiratory therapist blood gas laboratories striving to maintain high quality and safety compliance with regulatory agencies such as OSHA, The Joint Commission and Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA).
In her role as diversity lead, Deborah’s strong leadership and efforts toward understanding and inclusiveness are primary examples of her passion to improve awareness. Deborah develops and manages comprehensive, system-wide organizational plans to ensure that Community’s care sites and work environments are welcoming, comfortable and safe for diverse populations. She proposes polices and initiatives that support the organization’s philosophy and vision, identifies internal and external best practices and facilitates the spread of this knowledge. Her diversity work has extended to include various community projects and support of volunteerism.
Deborah’s leadership has been essential in addressing inclusion of persons with disabilities by starting several programs that help increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Another example of Deborah’s leadership is in health screening and education for diverse populations which include the Indiana Black and Minority Health Fair, the Latino Expo and Circle Up Indy.
Deborah is dedicated to being a servant leader as she serves as a board member at The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Indianapolis and the Fort Benjamin Harrison YMCA. Deborah has further engaged in the political environment where backgrounds, perspectives and experiences are valued. She first started her career as a precinct committee person and became the Lawrence Common Councilor at Large in 2019. In year 2020, Deborah now presides over the Lawrence Township Democratic Club as President.
Through the years, Deborah has pioneered and sustained significant efforts and programs that have impacted and benefitted many people. One of her favorite quotes, “Not everything that is faced can be changed. But nothing can be changed until it is faced.” James Baldwin