ADVANCED Pharmacy Australia (AdPha) has released the organisation's first Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategy, embracing inclusion and accelerating action ahead of International Women's Day (IWD), celebrated tomorrow.
The strategy defines diversity, equity and inclusion in the context of the organisation's people and purpose while outlining six years of action toward inclusive leadership, diverse workforce and workplace culture, community collaboration and partnerships.
AdPha Vice President Dr Kate O'Hara, who championed the initiative with fellow Director Brenda Shum, said the strategy formalises AdPha members' longstanding commitment to building cultures of inclusion and respect, recognising it is the backbone of quality health care.
"Embracing diversity, championing equity, and fostering inclusivity create meaningful impacts - not just for pharmacists and their teams, but for every patient in their care," O'Hara said.
"The strategy encompasses four clear goals relating to inclusive leadership, workplace diversity, community collaboration and partnerships and advocacy, in our pursuit of health and social equity."
AdPha Chief Executive Kristin Michaels highlighted the strong female leadership at AdPha, saying diversity in decision-making benefits everyone.
"By empowering female leadership we foster a more inclusive culture and entrench more diverse perspectives, which strengthen our decision-making and professional impact," Michaels said, adding that "this not only enhances our work but also brings lasting benefits to our members, their networks, and the profession as a whole."
The DEI strategy is HERE.
Meanwhile, Michaels shared with Pharmacy Daily her thoughts on women in pharmacy and leadership ahead of IWD.
"IWD for me is a great opportunity to stop and reflect, to remember where we have come from in relation to gender and social equity, and where we still have some mountains to climb!
"I've been honoured to spend my career working in healthcare, supporting and being supported by some incredible women who I have worked alongside.
"It has definitely been inspiring, but also given me a huge respect for the courage required to be a leader anywhere that you areunderrepresented.
"I see that courage in spades in so many of the amazing women leaders in pharmacy, from Sue Kirsa leading Australia's largest hospital pharmacy team at Monash Health, to Shania Liu impacting leading research both here and internationally, and our amazing AdPha Vice President, Dr Kate O'Hara who not only leads our organisation, but spearheads initiatives in sustainability, digital health and pharmacist recognition to lift the whole profession.
"In the prevailing political climate, fighting for visibility, representation and empowerment has never been more important, and IWD is an opportunity to raise our voices to acknowledge and celebrate us all."
See page 3 for our IWD special. KB
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