One Mission, Many Voices: Diversity at Saint Francis

Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center was founded in 1897 as a refuge for immigrants who wanted to know that their faith and traditions would be understood and appreciated when it came time to seek medical care. From the beginning, Saint Francis has recognized that our institution’s strength is derived from individuals from many backgrounds working together.

 Although reflecting the communities we serve has always been at the core of our mission, Saint Francis has pledged to take this commitment to another level with a variety of progressive measures within the hospital and at the state and national levels.

Marcus M. McKinney

To lead our internal initiatives, Saint Francis has named Marcus M. McKinney, D. Min., L.P.C., to the new post of vice president of Community Health Equity and Health Policy. Dr. McKinney is also the director and co-founder of the Curtis D. Robinson Men's Health Institute at Saint Francis, a role he will maintain. In addition, Saint Francis has assumed a leadership role in the Connecticut Hospital Association’s Diversity Collaborative. This collaborative seeks to engage all of Connecticut’s hospitals in a cooperative process to develop and implement strategies to:

• Increase diversity in hospital governance and senior management
• Improve cultural competence in the delivery of care
• Increase supplier diversity

Christopher M. Dadlez, president and CEO of Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center  and chairman of the Connecticut Hospital Association Board of Trustees, is a leader of this initiative at Saint Francis and on the state level.  Mr. Dadlez also holds leadership roles in the American Hospital Association, where he serves as a member of the AHA Equity of Care Committee.