COLUMBUS, Ohio – For outstanding support of Ohio’s Latino and Hispanic community, Nationwide Children’s Hospital is being awarded the 2019 Nuestra Familia Award by the Ohio Commission on Hispanic/Latino Affairs. The Nuestra Familia Award - which the Commission announced today - is given every year to non-Hispanic leaders or organizations “performing service of exceptional benefit to Latino Ohioans.”
“We’re thrilled to be recognized by the Commission in this way and proud of our partnership with the Latino community,” said Gilda Begly, Nationwide Children’s Global Patient Services coordinator and chair of the hospital’s Hispanic employees group. “The Hospital’s leadership understands the importance of diversity and inclusion and we practice it in patient care as well as with our fellow employees. It makes our care better and makes Nationwide Children’s Hospital a better place to work and it’s rewarding to see these efforts acknowledged.”
Since Nationwide Children’s founding more than 100 years ago, the hospital has operated with the understanding that each family, patient and employee is essential to its success and each individual deserves equal treatment, opportunity and care.
In addition to practicing an inclusive approach to patient service, Nationwide Children’s is committed to fostering a diverse workforce that works inclusively. The hospital supports employee resource groups such as HOLA - Hispanic Organization for Leadership and Achievement. The members of HOLA and other resource groups are ambassadors to the broader communities through referrals, advocacy, education and care.
“Inclusion brings together a kaleidoscope of individuals who work collectively to achieve best outcomes,” Begly said. “Embracing the strength and value of our Hispanic employees will ultimately provide optimal care for the entire Hispanic community. Nationwide Children’s Hospital understands this and actively pursues it every day.”
Nationwide Children’s will receive the award at a ceremony on October 26.
Nationwide Children’s supports Hispanic Ohioans through their service to patients, employees and the community. Employees have contributed their time and talent with groups such as Our Lady of Guadalupe, Ronald McDonald House and Festival Latino as well as participating in the first Human Trafficking forum in Spanish in the Columbus area.