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DEI at Cookeville Regional Medical Center

Intentional, thoughtful and structured approach

The mission of the DEI committee will be to address social issues and provide support in the communities we serve while also fostering an environment that attracts and retains the best talent, values diversity of life experiences and perspectives and encourages innovation.

Committee members include Amanda Aldridge, registration; Amy Rich, chief nursing officer; Angel Lewis, chief human resource officer; Caye Strong, human resources; Craig Norris, patient experience director and chair; Danette Gardenhire, respiratory therapy director; Donna Dutton, emergency department educator; Jennifer Daughrity, case management; John Bell, Foundation director; Melinda Poston, materials management director; Olline Taylor, co-chair and EVS director; Tim McDermott, chief information officer; Jennie Littrell, clinical dietitian; and Wanda Richardson, business development/workplace wellness manager.

The next step is to assess the current state as related to the new accreditation standards for health equity that is now included in the Joint Commission’s Accreditation Standards.

Part of that assessment involves feedback from employees.

“We want to hear from you,” Rich said. “There are many places to improve, but we need input from everyone.”

A survey will be going out to all employees in the near future.

If anyone has any questions, please email Norris at canorris@crmchealth.org.

I feel honored to be a part of the new DEI committee at CRMC. As part of the human experience, the easiest way to feel a sense of community is to know that there’s other people out there who are similar to you or have had similar experiences to what you’ve experienced. It’s always been a personal priority of mine to help people feel safe, respected, and included so they can thrive in their lives; now I can help ensure that happens on a professional level being part of this committee. Diversity helps drive innovation and my goal for this committee to help advance real change in the facility to where it will signal to employees that their contributions are valued.

Melinda K. Poston

Director, Materials Management

I am proud CRMC developed this DEI committee to focus on meaningful, positive change benefiting all patients and staff. Coordinating care for disadvantaged patients within CRMC, and beyond, is important to me, and I am happy to be a part of the DEI team.

John Bell

Director, Cookeville Regional Charitable Foundation

I am proud to be a part of the DEI Committee to help make a difference in the lives of our staff and community by meeting them where they are physically, mentally and financially. In doing so I hope to partner with other members of the committee and community to help meet their basic needs and progress to a more self-sustaining individual lifestyle.

Wanda Richardson, RN

Business Development/Workplace Wellness Management

Thank you for allowing me to serve on the DEI committee. Having a DEI committee in place means to me that we are striving to show appreciation and respect to everyone and trying to gain different perspectives from different groups of individuals. Everyone is valued! We have several goals in mind and I’m excited to see what positive things we can bring to CRMC. One particular goal we have already discussed and I’m interested in achieving is finding ways to maximize support/resources for our homeless population.

Jennifer Daughrity, RN

Manager, Case Management