Diversity, equity, and inclusion is a challenge that corporations all over the nation are trying to conquer. Some have settled for checking the box, but privately, they’re still operating under the same hard and fast rules that they’ve always used. In other cases, some efforts are being guided by forward-thinking leaders with a vision to make the dream of equality in the workplace a reality.
In today’s episode, Shawn Nason speaks with Arianne Dowdell. Arianne is one of the champions of workplace equity who boldly pushes the envelope and strives to make her organization reach its full potential. She’s the VP of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Houston Methodist and a true champion of the community. Today, she and Shawn sit down to discuss her views on diversity in healthcare, how to bring about change and how she strategically weaves her passion for storytelling into making the world a healthier place!
In This Episode
(2:46) – How Arianne’s passion for people has evolved through life experiences.
(3:11) – The days that she’s really tired motivate her for the next day.
(3:52) – The diversity of people, genders, and ages have helped her prepare for her current role.
(7:02) – Healthcare falling behind in DEI.
(9:49) – Checking the DEI box will never be an option.
(10:50) – The importance of leaving a lasting impact.
(14:30) – The value of connecting with people on an internal and external level.
(17:35) – Accountability and making sure diverse voices are heard.
(20:29) – Thoughts on adding persons of color in the healthcare systems.
(22:30) – The Combustion Questions
(24:31) – Advice for women wanting to move into leadership in healthcare.
What We Learned From Arianne Dowdell
Helping people is one of the key drivers that keeps Arianne moving forward.
The learning curve relating to DEI and the things she’s doing to move it forward.
Impact and vision are important to her.
Arianne firmly believes in the concept of storytelling.
Seeing the community as part of the healthcare puzzle.
Notable Quotes
(2:55) – “I’ve never chased a title in my life, it's always just being about making sure that people know that they’re heard and seen.”
(16:12) – “What we do is put the patient at the center of what we do every day.”
(17:59) – “I also think we have to take a step back when we look at healthcare and look at our communities.”
(21:09) – “Tell people to stop being so scared to have somebody that doesn’t look like them sitting in the C-suite.”
(25:10) – “It’s okay if everyone doesn’t like you but everyone will respect you and that’s what I pray happens when I leave this earth is that I will be someone who is respected for the work I do every day.”
Our Guest
Arianne Dowdell is the Vice President and Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer for Houston Methodist. She is responsible for leading the vision for unparalleled safety, quality service, and innovation through diversity, equity, and inclusion by stewarding system-wide DEI strategy implementation and development through key partnerships. She also serves as associate director of the Houston Methodist Neal Cancer Center where she’s responsible for building the DEI department that will be initially focused on increasing representation amongst its employees in the cancer center.
Resources and Links
Arianne Dowdell
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arianne-d-42548361/
Shawn Nason
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nasonshawn/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/manonfiresocial/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/manonfiresocial
Website: https://shawnnason.com/
MOFI: https://www.mofi.co/
OFFOR Health: https://www.offorhealth.com/
The Combustion Chronicles Podcast
Website: https://shawnnason.com/combustion-chronicles-episodes/
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