Office of Healthcare Equity (OHCE)

View Office of Healthcare Equity (OHCE)

The UW Medicine Office of Healthcare Equity is dedicated to eliminating health disparities and fostering an inclusive, anti-racist healthcare system. Guided by its Healthcare Equity Blueprint 2.0, the office focuses on six strategic areas: leadership, workforce development, community engagement, quality improvement, research, and learning environments. Through initiatives like the Center for Workforce Inclusion and Healthcare System Equity (WIHSE), it supports educational pathways for underrepresented students from K–12 to medical school. The office also offers equity training, bias reporting tools, and community-centered programs to promote culturally responsive care and health justice for all. 

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. This will send your message directly to the OHCE team. 

When does reporter hear back?

Varies

Point of Contact Info

Contact Form 

Other Considerations

None