View Office of Healthcare Equity (OHCE)
The UW Medicine’s Office of Healthcare Equity believes that healthcare is a fundamental human right and everyone should have the same access and opportunities for the best possible outcomes. This belief is very clearly tied to our mission to improve the health of the public. However, it’s important to acknowledge that institutional racism has created inequities in society — even within our own healthcare system — that result in health disparities. We are committed to transforming the way care is provided to eliminate these inequities. Healthcare equity isn’t owned by one department or leader – everyone shares responsibility. We can all take action in our own spheres of influence and in the work we control.
Who it's for
- Faculty
- Patients & Family
- Staff
- Supervisors
- Trainees
Desired Outcomes
- Info Seeking
- Info Sharing
- Resolution
Desired Privacy
- Anonymous
- Confidential
Types of Complaints / Topics Addressed
The UW Medicine’s Office of Healthcare Equity (OHCE) three main objectives are to (1) Increase diversity, increase cultural humility and reduce implicit bias in the healthcare workforce, (2) engage the communities we serve as partners in assessing and addressing healthcare equity, and (3) deploy targeted quality improvement and healthcare services to meet the needs of marginalized populations. The OHCE also provides access to other equity-focused resources, including the UW Medicine Climate Survey, the UW Medicine Bias Reporting Tool (BRT), EDI-focused training opportunities, and additional materials related to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Disclaimers
Retaliation protection:
University of Washington policy prohibits retaliation against people who bring a complaint or participate in the complaint process. An employee who engages in retaliatory conduct is subject to appropriate corrective action, including dismissal.
Exception to confidentiality:
Any information shared in emails, tools, or reports may be subject to public records requests or released under federal and state law.
Process
What information you need to submit, what happens after
To contact the UW Medicine’s Office of Healthcare Equity (OHCE), please submit a message request through their contact portal: https://equity.uwmedicine.org/about/contact-us/. This will send your message directly to the OHCE team.
When does reporter hear back?
Varies
Point of Contact Info
Other Considerations
None
