CVS Health names new chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer
Shari Slate was hired to ensure the company's workforce of more than 300,000 employees "reflects the communities it serves," says CVS.
Photo courtesy of CVS Health
CVS Health has named a new senior vice president and chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer in a bid to advance the company's stated goal of promoting more equity in healthcare.
Shari Slate was named to the post and will take the help on February 27, reporting to Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer Laurie Havanec.
In the role, Slate will be responsible for CVS Health's diversity, equity and inclusion strategy, innovation and implementation. The idea is to ensure the company's workforce of more than 300,000 employees "reflects the communities it serves," said CVS.
She will also lead CVS Health's workforce initiatives and strategic diversity management efforts, with a focus on aligning to the company's purpose and embedding diversity, equity and inclusion into business processes, workforce programs and community initiatives.
WHAT'S THE IMPACT?
Previously, Slate logged more than a decade of experience at Cisco, where she served as chief inclusion and collaboration officer and senior vice president, inclusive future and strategy.
In that role, said CVS, she created solutions geared to address critical diversity, equity and inclusion challenges and accelerate the pipeline of diverse talent. Slate's team was also instrumental in creating Cisco's Inclusive Future Action Office, which had oversight of a $300M budget, the company said.
"Shari is a respected business leader and a champion of innovative people-oriented practices related to diversity and inclusion," said Havanec. "Her addition to our team will help us continue to build our diverse, inclusive and consumer-focused culture that's at the heart of everything we do."
THE LARGER TREND
CVS Health is reportedly getting close to an agreement to acquire Oak Street Health, a primary care provider geared toward the Medicare population, for about $10.5 billion including debt.
It's been a busy few weeks with CVS, with the company launching Virtual Primary Care in January, a virtual care offering focused mainly on primary care and mental health services.
Through the launch, CVS is also expanding its virtual mental health services. Enrollees 18 and older are slated to have access to nationwide virtual mental health support from clinicians including licensed therapists and psychiatrists.
Not everything has been smooth going for the insurer, however. Recently it was revealed that Cigna is suing CVS over the intended hire of former Cigna executive Amy Bricker. The lawsuit alleges this violates Cigna's noncompete agreement, with the company saying it would be "immediately and irreparably harmed" if Bricker's hire is allowed to continue.
Last week CVS Health said it was rolling out a new initiative, the Community Equity Alliance, in hopes it will address barriers to care in underserved communities. The Alliance is being established to expand the community health workforce, enhance connections between healthcare institutions and communities, and address disparities in heart health and mental health outcomes.
Twitter: @JELagasse
Email the writer: Jeff.Lagasse@himssmedia.com
