Employee Resource Groups
Selected applicants for the academies described above will participate in employee resource groups, or ERGs. ERGs work to raise awareness of the health care needs among our diverse patients by:
- Providing community outreach and health information directly to diverse populations in our community.
- Educating and training our employees to increase cultural competency.
- Engaging our employees to “bring their whole selves” to work, which in turn allows them to offer the best possible care to our patients.
The employee resource groups at UAB Medicine include:
Global Employee Resource Group
The goal of the International Employee Resource Group is to help foreign staff better understand the cultures of the United States and UAB by getting them involved. The group currently is focused on Chinese staff members, with a goal to expand to other international groups. It aims to share information among various departments, labs, and divisions while providing more collaboration opportunities. The group also seeks to build a communication bridge between foreign staff and UAB Medicine leadership teams.
Growth, Resources, & Outreach for Women (GROW) – The Women’s Employee Resource Group at UAB Medicine
GROW is committed to providing an employee resource group for female professionals that creates a safe venue for discussing and evaluating issues related to women in the workplace and implementing strategies to improve workplace satisfaction. It strives to help women grow and develop in their careers and personal lives by providing opportunities to become involved in activities that will strengthen them and others in the workplace. Its primary purpose is to implement leadership development through education, mentoring, and networking, so that women can take an even larger role in being positive, powerful change agents in the workplace.
Young Professionals Employee Resource Group
The goal of the Young Professionals Affinity Group is to serve UAB Medicine’s young professionals, so that they see it as an organization where their purpose can be fulfilled and where they can happily remain for their entire career. The group is for professionals at any UAB entity who are looking for development opportunities and consider themselves to be early in their career or in their UAB career. There is no age limit for those interested in participating.
Retro Professional Employee Resource Group
The purpose of the Retro Professional Employee Resource Group is to provide a resource group for mature professionals who are part of the UAB Medicine workforce. As part of our Health System Diversity Program strategy, UAB Medicine is committed to enabling mature leaders to create a venue for discussing and implementing strategies to improve their workplace satisfaction. The Retro Professional group actively seeks to identify unique workplace needs among mature leaders and welcomes participation from all UAB Medicine departments.
Veteran, Active Military Friends and Family Resource Group
The Veteran, Active Military Friends and Family Resource Group provides support for UAB Medicine employees, faculty, patients, and loved ones. It is committed to supporting the specific needs of those affiliated with the military. The group offers assistance to both employees and patients related to health, education, and benefits resources; HR and employment resources; counseling resources; and social/community resources.
PRISM Employee Resource Group (People Respecting Identity & Sexuality in Medicine)
UAB Medicine is committed to valuing diversity and inclusion through the equitable treatment of our patients, employees, and the community we serve. The LGBTQ Healthcare Equality Advisory Group was established to provide a forum for discussing and addressing issues related to the LGBTQ community and to offer meaningful solutions that are equitable and inclusive.
Men in Nursing Employee Resource Group
UAB Medicine’s Men in Nursing Employee Resource Group (MNERG) seeks to create opportunities for discussing and implementing strategies that improve employee satisfaction for men who work in the nursing profession or want to. The MNERG aims to provide a safe space for employees to learn, develop new skills, and prepare for the next phase of their personal and professional lives. We want male nurses to see UAB Medicine as an organization that appreciates their experiences/backgrounds and is committed to providing opportunities for career growth and leadership development. Membership is open to any nurse interested in participating, though MNERG was created for male nurses. The group provides opportunities to intentionally engage one another and grow personally and professionally, while advancing UAB Medicine’s Core Values through excellence in nursing.
Black Employees Leading in Excellence, Vision & Education Employee Resource Group
UAB Medicine’s Black Employees Leading in Excellence, Vision & Education Employee Resource Group (B.E.L.I.E.V.E.) is a network that supports professional development among Black employees at all levels and works with management to advance their inclusion, retention, and career mobility. B.E.L.I.E.V.E. also provides insights to senior management on strategies to enhance the organization’s image in the Black community. The group champions career advancement and development of leadership behaviors by providing growth opportunities for its members. The programs sponsored by B.E.L.I.E.V.E. are open to all, but its mission is focused on UAB Medicine’s Black employees and patients.