School of Nursing news March 11, 1999 Inclusiveness discussed at School of Nursing seminar   Dr. Greek   The latest research findings about diversity in the workplace were presented during a four-hour seminar organized by School of Nursing faculty. Close to 400 people attended the seminar, "Valuing Differences," which took place February 10 in Coleman Pavilion. Presenters for the seminar were Ramona Perez Greek, PhD, RN, assistant professor, School of Nursing, and Caleb Rosado, PhD. Dr. Rosado, president of Rosado Consulting for Change in Human Systems, is an expert in multiculturalism, diversity, and systems change. The seminar focused on inclusiveness and not differences among people. "God created diversity," says Dr. Greek. "He created us with different gifts and strengths. As we work together, we can learn to use these gifts to better meet our mission and vision as an institution. This is in God's design and plan. "The latest trend in business is emphasizing diversity. Articles are being published about the importance and benefits of diversity, and corporations are placing full-page ads in major business publications describing the value they place on diversity in the workplace." According to Dr. Greek, research has shown that if corporations hire consultants specializing in diversity who emphasize change in one's "attitudes and behavior," change does come but it does not last for long. "However," she says, "if people begin to focus on their way of thinking, their core values, where these values come from, and why they hold these values, they begin to better understand themselves. A better understanding of ourselves and our way of thinking influences how we live life, and the way we treat each other. "In looking deeper, long-term change is more likely to occur because it focuses at the core of our beings of who and what we are to one another. Then, long-term change can occur. "Many times we think we know what drives us and what our priorities are. However, our actions may not agree with what we think our values are," Dr. Greek continues. As levels of understanding are increased, this will effect how we treat each other, whether we are an employee or a manager. Understanding diversity in the workplace is important as groups work together to accomplish a task or goal. "Teams get stuck when they do not know how to work together," says Dr. Greek. "As members of the group learn how to better understand each other, they find they share a common vision--and synergy and energy are created. Tasks and assignments are accomplished more easily." According to Medileen Malqued, a nursing student who attended the seminar, "This was the most interesting workshop that I have attended since I started nursing." Seminar attendees included School of Nursing students, LLU deans and faculty, employees from community health-care agencies, and School of Nursing alumni. Plans are now underway for a one-hour seminar sponsored by the Center for Christian Bioethics which will focus on multiculturalism and ethics in health care. The seminar will be held Wednesday, April 14, 1999, from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. in the LLUMC A-level amphitheater. [School of Nursing] University | Medical_Center | LLU&MC_home | Search_&_index | News_&_events | Employment | Contact | Our_mission All contents copyright © 2001 Loma Linda University. All rights reserved. Revised Tuesday, January 30, 2001 11:11 AM Send comments and questions to webmaster@univ.llu.edu URL: /