In this section:
Community Responsibility
As a faith-based, nonprofit healthcare system, we believe it is our social responsibility to improve the welfare of society through community outreach, health education and access to care. The Community Affairs department at Texas Health Resources provides community relations support across our 16-county service area through strategic giving, employee volunteerism and community engagement.
We aim to influence Texas Health’s long-term sustainability and reputation as a pillar of our communities by using our environmental, social, and governance (ESG) frameworks to drive business and community collaboration, stakeholder engagement and collective impact. We annually publish Texas Health’s Social Purpose Report to highlight key programs, strategies and goals to optimize and sustain our organization and demonstrate our long-standing commitment to operating in an ethical, equitable and community-focused manner.
By understanding and advocating for the unique needs of our diverse populations, we aim to extend our impact beyond medical care by creating positive change in the lives of those we are privileged to serve.
Leadership and Collaboration
Responsible financial and community resource management is vital to fulfilling our Mission as a faith-based nonprofit. Our success is uniquely driven by our strong relationships with community stakeholders, local business leaders, nonprofit organizations and industry associations.
As part of Texas Health’s leadership and collaboration across North Texas, we actively participate in more than 25 national, state and regional healthcare industry associations, including the American Hospital Association, Premier, Healthcare Leadership Council, Texas Hospital Association, Texas Association of Voluntary Hospitals and the Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council. We extend our reach and engagement to regional chambers of commerce, diversity councils and healthcare collaborations throughout North Texas.
Through ongoing dialogue, we gain insights into trends shaping health outcomes, service delivery and care costs, ensuring our impact is meaningful. We also manage systemwide industry and regional chamber memberships, charitable contributions, and event sponsorships with nearly 100 community organizations across our 16-county service area.
"True progress in community health and well-being comes not from isolated efforts but from the collective engagement of community leaders, organizations and policymakers working together to nurture healthier, more vibrant communities in North Texas,” said David Tesmer, Texas Health's Chief Community and Public Policy Officer.
2023 Highlights
Texas Health:
- Community Affairs provided more than $2 million in charitable contributions, event sponsorships and membership dues to support numerous healthcare-related causes, economic development, disaster relief and community support across North Texas.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
As a community leader, Texas Health is committed to building and sustaining a diverse and inclusive community inside and outside our walls. We aim to empower our workforce with the knowledge and skills essential to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels of our organization and in our communities.
Readying inspiring Individuals with Skills to promote Equity (RISE)
Texas Health is committed to building a workforce that reflects the communities' demographics. In 2021, to help interested employees expand their cultural frame of reference, we developed a new diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) leadership training program — known as RISE — to elevate civic engagement, leadership, and DEI skills across our workforce. RISE incorporates these teachings into each individual’s role to further strengthen their leadership capabilities.
Over four months, we convene DEI experts, Texas Health and community leaders to:
- Discuss critical healthcare issues and social responsibilities that are important to achieving Texas Health's long-term sustainability and Mission, Vision, and Values.
- Promote conversational learning, share resources and collaborate on meeting key business and community objectives across channels, functions and business units.
- Create positive change and apply new skills, knowledge and resources to their respective roles, workplaces and communities.
- Examine strategic business issues such as consumer data and insights, product development and innovation, and racial equity and healthcare disparities.
- Build a think tank of individuals to spark innovation, drive best practices, develop strategies and implement solutions.
- Promote and elevate diverse voices to sustain an inclusive, empowered and engaged workforce.
Since the program began in 2021, nearly 100 employees have graduated. From enhanced emotional intelligence, leadership, and conflict resolution skills to an improved understanding of bias and issues affecting underserved communities, participants obtain various leadership tools and resources to build an inclusive environment for all.
2023 Highlights
Texas Health:
- Completed the third RISE cohort with 40 graduates across the system from multiple disciplines and service areas.
STEM Healthcare Initiative
About 60% of Texas students, particularly those in underserved areas, lack exposure to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) curriculum, hindering their understanding of its crucial role in shaping future career paths.
To help address this gap, Texas Health joined forces with the Dallas Independent School District to support its Pathways to Technology and Early College (P-TECH) program, which provides students with skills to meet current and future workforce demands. P-TECH is a national program that bridges classroom learning with workplace experiences, enabling students to earn both a high school diploma and an associate’s degree simultaneously.
Since 2020, clinical leaders from Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas have actively engaged with Dr. Emmett J. Conrad High School students, providing valuable insights into the diverse realm of healthcare careers. Hospital teams host educational visits, offer opportunities to shadow healthcare professionals, and promote Texas Health's allied health apprenticeship programs.
Clinical leaders and volunteers also deliver various in-person and virtual learning experiences, mentor and coach students, and generously contribute medical equipment and supplies to enhance the school's Sim Lab Clinic. This multifaceted relationship underscores our dedication to nurturing the future healthcare workforce and supporting educational initiatives that make a lasting impact.
2023 Highlights
Texas Health:
- Hosted career development workshops and provided students with healthcare learning and service opportunities.
- Provided employee volunteers to conduct career mentoring sessions with students interested in learning about different healthcare professions.
Employee Volunteerism
Texas Health’s Community Time Off (CTO) program compensates every employee annually for one day of service to foster powerful connections with area nonprofits. Our commitment to community service takes various forms, from providing free health screenings and vaccinations to revitalizing underserved neighborhoods through home construction, tree planting and providing access to nutritious food.
Since 2009, our employees have contributed approximately 110,000 CTO hours, the equivalent of nearly $2.7 million in service to our communities.
2023 Highlights
Texas Health:
- Employees logged more than 10,655 CTO hours through virtual and in-person community service projects, and nearly 2,400 employees participated in 779 projects.
- Diversity Action Teams organized year-round service projects to support national holidays and cultural celebrations, including Martin Luther King (MLK) Day of Service, Black History Month, National Volunteer Month, Asian American & Pacific Islander Month, Pride Month, 9/11 Day of Service, and various religious holidays.
Snapshot: Employee Volunteerism Returns to Pre-pandemic Levels
While our employees typically serve approximately 1 million North Texans annually through our Community Time Off (CTO) program, the pandemic created obstacles. However, we're delighted that in 2023, volunteerism rebounded to pre-pandemic levels, with more than 10,655 CTO hours logged. Led by our Community Affairs team, Texas Health collaborates with more than 300 nonprofit organizations across North Texas to provide employee volunteers and support community needs. In 2023, nearly 150 employees participated in the 28th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, the only national day of service, to contribute their time, talent and skills. Our employee volunteers logged 500 hours of community service in just one day. From a donation-sorting event at local nonprofits to a beautification and harvesting project, food pantry assistance and homeless shelter support, the total in-kind value of our employees’ time was more than $13,000 and they served nearly 10,000 people in need. |
At Texas Health, our commitment to community service is unwavering. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which significantly limited volunteer opportunities, our dedication remained steadfast.
Snapshot: Texas Health and YMCA Join Forces to Promote Health and Wellness in North Texas
In collaboration with the Dallas and Fort Worth YMCAs, Texas Health helped make having a “healthier Thanksgiving” a new tradition for years to come. We were the presenting sponsor of the 2023 YMCA Turkey Trots in Dallas and Fort Worth. This collaboration aimed to promote health and wellness in the community and allow North Texans to have a fun and active start to the holiday season. The Turkey Trot proceeds support the YMCA's diverse programs that strengthen our community, including preschool and afterschool care, water safety and swim lessons, camps, youth sports and health programs. They also provide scholarship opportunities for these programs and more. To help walkers and runners prepare, Texas Health created a “Train to Trot” program. This self-paced, 10-step program is designed to make getting ready for the Trot simple and easy for participants of all fitness levels. “We’ve created an engaging program that invites our community to do Thanksgiving Day the Texas Health-Yway,” says Deena McAllister, senior vice president, Brand Experience at Texas Health. “We want to inspire families to make healthy choices — and training for the Trot is a fun way to do it.” |
While the spirit of Thanksgiving often brings families and friends together to share a meal, rejoice in gratitude, and create memories, the day is also deeply steeped in tradition for many families. Participating in the YMCA’s Turkey Trot is one of those traditions for some.