Highmark Health earns a top score of 100 for 10 consecutive
years
PITTSBURGH, July 31,
2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- For the tenth consecutive
year, Highmark Health has been named a "Best Place to Work" for
individuals with disabilities in the Disability Equality Index®
(DEI®), a national benchmarking survey administered jointly by the
American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and
Disability:IN®.
"Achieving the highest possible score – for
ten years running – inspires us to continue this work and strive
for an even more inclusive workforce that best reflects the
patients, members and customers we serve," said Margaret Larkins-Pettigrew, MD, Chief Clinical
DEI Officer, Highmark Health.
For its comprehensive efforts to attract, develop and retain
people with disabilities in its workforce Highmark Health has
earned a top score of 100.
The DEI® is the world's most comprehensive benchmarking tool for
the Fortune 1000 and Am Law 200 to measure disability workplace
inclusion against competitors.
In 2024, 542 corporations, including 71 Fortune 100 and 220
Fortune 500, utilized the Disability Equality Index to benchmark
their disability inclusion efforts. Of those participating, less
than half received the highest score.
"On behalf of Highmark Health, it's an absolute honor to be
recognized by the Disability Equality Index and an even greater
privilege to collaborate alongside our remarkable team members who
work tirelessly to foster an inclusive space for all," said
Margaret Larkins-Pettigrew, MD, MEd,
MPPM, FACOG; senior vice president; chief clinical, diversity,
equity and inclusion officer of the Enterprise Institute of
Equitable Health at Highmark Health. "Achieving the highest
possible score – for ten years running – inspires us to continue
this work and strive for an even more inclusive workforce that best
reflects the patients, members and customers across the communities
we serve."
This year's recognition measures culture and leadership;
enterprise-wide access; employment practices (benefits,
recruitment, employment, education, retention and advancement,
accommodations); community engagement; supplier diversity; and
non-U.S. operations.
Additionally, 2024 marks the first
year that the Index incorporates countries beyond the United States, now including data insights
from Brazil, Canada, Germany, India, Japan,
the Philippines and the
United Kingdom. Globally, people
with disabilities represent 1.3 billion individuals, according to
the DEI.
"On the 10th anniversary of the Disability Equality Index, we're
extremely proud of the 542 national and international companies
that are taking a proactive role in leading progress towards
disability inclusion, setting a benchmark for others to follow.
Their dedication to fostering inclusive workplaces not only
attracts top talent but also drives innovation and creates
sustainable performance in today's global market. Together, we are
creating a future where everyone can contribute and thrive," said
Jill Houghton, President and CEO of
Disability:IN.
Among those practices earning Highmark Health the "Best Place to
Work" recognition are programs and partnerships that help to
recruit people with disabilities, including executive sponsorship
of the business case for recruiting, hiring and developing people
with disabilities, a national advisory council; supplier diversity
and provider diversity programs; and enterprise-wide support of
business resources groups (BRGs) through which employees with
disabilities get involved in workplace, marketplace and
community-wide programs.
Highmark Health's Abilities Business Resource Group (BRG) raises
awareness about the needs of, and offers support to, people with
disabilities and their caregivers in the workplace, marketplace and
community.
The Abilities BRG encourages workplace inclusion, equality of
opportunity and best practices in recruitment. Its members also
build community partnerships through educational-to-career
experiences for students with disabilities, advocate accessibility
to Highmark Health facilities, act as a champion for customers with
disabilities, and serve as a voice for those who care for or
support people with disabilities.
The DEI was launched in 2015 by Disability:IN and the AAPD and
is acknowledged today as the most robust disability inclusion
assessment tool in business. Now in its tenth year, the DEI exists
to help businesses make a positive impact on the
unemployment/underemployment of people with disabilities.
About The Disability Equality Index®
The Disability Equality Index (DEI) is a comprehensive benchmarking
tool that helps companies build a roadmap of measurable, tangible
actions that they can take to achieve disability inclusion and
equality. Each company receives a score, on a scale of zero (0) to
100, with those earning 80 and above recognized as a "Best Place to
Work for Disability Inclusion".
The DEI is a joint initiative of the American Association of
People with Disabilities (AAPD), the nation's largest disability
rights organization, and Disability:IN, the global business
disability inclusion network, to collectively advance the inclusion
of people with disabilities. The organizations are complementary
and bring unique strengths that make the project relevant and
credible to corporations and the disability community. The tool was
developed by the DEI Advisory Committee, a diverse group of
business leaders, policy experts, and disability advocates. Learn
more at: http://www.DisabilityEqualityIndex.org.
About the American Association of People with Disabilities
(AAPD)
AAPD is a convener, connector, and catalyst for change, increasing
the political and economic power for people with disabilities. As a
national cross-disability rights organization AAPD advocates for
full civil rights for the 60+ million Americans with disabilities.
Learn more at: http://www.aapd.com.
About Disability:IN®
Disability:IN is a global organization driving disability inclusion
and equality in business. More than 500 corporations partner with
Disability:IN to create long-term business and social impact
through the world's most comprehensive disability inclusion
benchmarking and reporting tool, the Disability Equality Index
(DEI); best-in-class conferences and programs; expert counsel and
engagement; and public policy leadership. Join us at
disabilityin.org/AreYouIN #AreYouIN.
About Highmark Health
Highmark Health, a Pittsburgh,
PA-based enterprise that employs more than 42,000 people who
serve millions of Americans across the country, is the parent
company of Highmark Inc., Allegheny Health Network, enGen, and
Helion. Highmark Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates provide
health insurance to 7 million members in Pennsylvania, West
Virginia, Delaware, and
New York, as well as dental
insurance, and related health products through a national network
of diversified businesses. Allegheny Health Network is an
integrated delivery network in western Pennsylvania comprised of 14 hospitals, more
than 2,600 affiliated physicians, ambulatory surgery centers, an
employed physician organization, home and community-based health
services, a research institute, a group purchasing organization,
and health and wellness pavilions. enGen is focused on meeting the
information technology platform and other business needs of the
Highmark Health enterprise as well as unaffiliated health insurance
plans by providing proven business processes, expert knowledge, and
integrated cloud-based platforms. Helion works with payers to
cultivate high-performing networks while empowering providers to
operate at their best. To learn more, visit
http://www.highmarkhealth.org.
Media Contact
Maddie Goerl, Highmark Health,
724-799-4441, madison.goerl@highmarkhealth.org,
www.highmarkhealth.org
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SOURCE Highmark Health