Throughout the year, it’s not unusual to walk through the UF Health Shands Hospital Atrium and come across a diversity-themed event. Every guest speaker, international or cultural performance and visual expo is brought to us by hardworking employees representing many departments who are committed to celebrating diversity at UF Health.

Encouraging cultural diversity and inclusion is important to the UF Health family. Each celebration reflects the cultural diversity of our workforce and those we serve, thanks to our Diversity Ambassadors.

Blas Brown, UF Health Shands Hospital OR business coordinator, and Marta Pollitt, UF Health Office of Development grants coordinator, served black beans and rice to guests during last year’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebration.

“Our mission is to promote awareness of diversity in the workplace and provide a creative outlet for employees to share their backgrounds with their co-workers and our patients, visitors and guests,” said Kristi Gaver, UF Health Shands Employee Relations event planner, who works with the Diversity Ambassadors committee.

Some of the cultural events the group hosts celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Black History Month. This fall, the committee will host events celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, American Indian Heritage Month and Veterans Day.

The Diversity Ambassadors have a passion for encouraging the acceptance of cultural diversity. As UF Health grows and evolves, the committee hopes the program will grow as well.

Gaver said, “We want to keep people excited and looking forward to the next celebration!”

For more information about the Diversity Ambassadors or to learn how to serve on an event planning committee, contact Kristi Gaver at gaverk@shands.ufl.edu.

On Sept. 18, join our Hispanic Heritage Month celebration in the UF Health Shands Hospital Atrium. Look for more information in Shands News and email announcements.