Equity and Diversity Programming

A Partnership with Friends of University Academy

The Children’s Mercy Health Science Summer Internship Program is designed to expand the depth and scope of the students’ individual area of study. This internship motivates students to create opportunities, demonstrate and develop critical thinking and problem solving skills, while embracing and supporting new concepts and ideas surrounding the academic, personal and professional interests of the student. 

During this eight-week structured internship, students will become familiar with roles and responsibilities associated with the day to day work of health care professionals. By participating in clinical and non-clinical experiential, integrative and practical learning, students have an opportunity to collaborate and engage with faculty and staff as an active employee of the Children’s Mercy Hospital health system. Students’ increase awareness to community issues and other topics such as health and health care disparities, health inequities, implicit bias, cultural humility and more as they join various internal and external community benefit events and projects. 

Founded by JC Cowden, MD, MPH, Medical Director of the Office of Equity and Diversity, The CHICOS Clinic (Clínica Hispana de Cuidados de Salud), located at the Children’s Mercy Pediatric Care Center on Broadway is a program where select pediatric residents with intermediate or better Spanish proficiency train formally in bilingual, cross-cultural care over the three years of their residency.

In order to ensure clear, effective, and safe communication during our service to patients and families, the Qualified Bilingual Staff training program was designed to provide guidance to bilingual employees on their use of languages other than English.

For additional information about the Qualified Bilingual Staff program, please contact qbs@cmh.edu.

"Health literacy" is the ability to read, understand and act on health information.  Using health literacy techniques to communicate with patients and family members verbally and in writing will help increase understanding and improve outcomes.

For additional information about Health Literacy, please contact Healthliteracy2@cmh.edu.

Started in 2008, the El Consejo de Familias Latinas/Hispanas, Latino/Hispanic Family Advisory Board (Consejo) is a board chaired by a parent, with a core membership of approximately 10 families who are the primary caregivers of children who receive care at Children’s Mercy. The Consejo compliments the existing Family Advisory Board (FAB) at Children’s Mercy, an English-speaking parent advisory board.

El Consejo’s goals are to:

• Promote a relationship between Family members and professionals from Children’s Mercy so we can work together to ensure the right services are being delivered for kids and families.

• Provide opinions and ideas to the representatives of the hospital about our experiences.

• Review important issues from the hospital by the El Consejo in order to receive recommendations.

• Educate families about medical services.

Membership

El Consejo meets once a month. Any parent, or caregiver of a patient may apply for board membership. For additional information please contact consejo@cmh.edu.