By Guest Columnist Daniel J. Loepp
President and CEO, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
At its core, diversity, equity, and inclusion is about seeing everyone, hearing everyone, and including everyone at the table.
It’s one reason why the 2024 Mackinac Policy Conference (May 28-31) — which is themed “Bridging the Future Together” — is timely and urgent. When it comes to our greatest issues and opportunities, Michigan will prosper when its leaders engage with mutual respect and build bridges to move forward regardless of political party, industry or geographic location, asserts the Detroit Regional Chamber, which organizes the annual gathering of nationally recognized speakers and statewide thought leaders to discuss key issues facing the state.
Conference speakers and sessions will focus on attracting businesses and jobs; improving education outcomes; strengthening infrastructure; and leading with innovation and equity.
ADVANCING EQUITY
The conversations around equity are especially important to the future of Michigan.
As president and CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, one of the state’s largest employers and headquartered in Detroit for all 85 years of its existence, I’ve seen firsthand the importance of including everyone at the table.
Throughout my 20-year tenure at Blue Cross, our company has made purposeful efforts to ensure that an inclusive culture is a hallmark of our enterprise. This approach influences our efforts internally in our workplace and extends externally to the people and communities that we serve.
At our core, our company is driven by a historic commitment to the health and well-being of everyone across our great state. We work across the health care ecosystem to improve how health care is delivered knowing this contributes to a healthier Michigan for all.
A key part of this work is our focus on health equity. Our Office of Health and Health Care Disparities leads our health equity strategy and has made progress in several ways in the last few years. This includes collecting and analyzing data to better address disparities; strengthening our communities through partnerships and investments that address social determinants of health; and aligning with the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association to improve disparities in maternal health.
REFLECTING THOSE WE SERVE
Our commitment to inclusivity begins from within our workplace, where we learn from each other and grow personally and professionally. Knowing that diverse representation is a building block for inclusion, we aim to hire and retain a workforce that reflects the diversity of those we serve. This includes people of different races, ethnicities, nationalities, cultures, religions, gender identities, sexual orientations, ages, experiences, physical abilities, mental abilities, military services, and perspectives. We’ve also increased recruiting with community colleges and Historically Black Colleges and Universities; and we’ve deepened connections with organizations that work with diverse young professionals.
Through our ongoing work, we engage all employees. This includes unconscious bias education for leaders and our provider partners, as well as learning session opportunities for all employees. Our efforts over the last two decades have enabled us to be ready to help everyone of all backgrounds and perspectives — including our members, communities and each other. In fact, minorities represent over one-third of our leadership and women represent over half of our leadership. I’m proud that this will be part of my legacy as president and CEO of BCBSM.
CONVERSATION AND COLLABORATION
Diverse representation requires conversation and collaboration — and those will be in abundance on Mackinac Island later this month.
I appreciate the work of the Detroit Regional Chamber, 2024 conference chair Suzanne Shank, the president, chief executive officer and co-founder of Siebert Williams Shank & Co., LLC, and the advisory committee of Michigan-based CEOs and Chamber leadership for developing this year’s theme and comprehensive agenda.
I look forward to the outcomes of these discussions as Michigan’s leaders place the focus on “Bridging the Future Together.”
Daniel J. Loepp is president and CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.
