Partnering With You: Sonya Davis
When I started my career here at Centra 18 years ago I was excited, nervous, and anxious. I was young and eager to begin a new job. Notice I said job, but what was really happening was the beginning of a career, passion, and desire for more. Today more than that day in April 2004 I believe I am here to spark a change and to challenge others to think differently about individuals that are just like me.
As individuals in the healthcare field, we are constantly in contact and communicate with others who are different than us. One of the definitions of difference as defined by Merriam-Webster, “a characteristic that distinguishes one from another or from the average”, in some instances I thrive on being different and not your average employee. An area that I believe we as individuals, employees, and patients should not feel this difference or distinction is when it comes to equity and inclusion.
Recently, equity and inclusion has become more of a buzz phrase, a to do, or check list item in our society and the workplace instead of a core value. Equity and inclusion does not mean we all have to subscribe to the same beliefs, thoughts, or decisions. What it does mean is that we show respect to give everyone regardless of their race, gender preference, age, or religion the same opportunity to succeed or even fail and to feel valued and included in every area of our organization. Our organization should be a mirror to the community in which we serve. Our organization should make us relatable to the community in ways that far exceed any advertisement we produce.
Every one of us at Centra plays an integral role in ingraining this core value into our DNA and always being a beacon of light in our community. We must all get to a place where our differences separating us or causing divide amongst us empower us to serve our community and each other better. I look forward to the day when I as an African American woman in a Senior Leadership role will be the norm and not the exception that people remember.