Celebrating and Supporting Our Diverse Workforce

Wheeler is a diverse group of professionals, nearly 1,000 strong, from all backgrounds and lived experiences, which we embrace and celebrate. Join our team!

Learn more about Wheeler's Organizational Values, particularly our value of Diversity and Inclusion!

Through our active and engaged organization-wide and location-focused Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion subcommittees, we provide education and training for our staff, and help Wheeler advance its commitment to DEI on an operational and strategic level. 

Meet some of our staff, who live these values and share the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in our work every day!

Wheeler is a 2024 Top Workplaces for Leadership BY Women, DE&I PRACTICES

In September, Wheeler was named an overall Hartford Courant 2024 Top Workplace for the eighth time, and received additional recognition for its managers. In July, Wheeler was named a national Top Workplace in the healthcare industry.

• The DE&I award celebrates organizations who are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive place to work, no matter one's background. This commitment is shared by all levels of the organization is felt by employees.
• The woman-led Top Workplace award celebrates outstanding organizations whose most senior leader is a woman. These leaders have fostered and built stand-out workplace cultures that perform.
• The professional development Top Workplace award celebrates organizations that focus on developing their employees' careers and enable them to grow professionally.

Employee Resource Groups

Wheeler's first Employee Resource Groups launched in 2024!  ERGs are a group of employees who join in their workplace based on shared characteristics or life experiences. ERGs are generally based on providing support, enhancing career development, and contributing to personal development in the workplace.

The first ERG launched is focused for young professionals, although all staff are welcome to join!

Mission:

The Young Professionals ERG provides equitable access to networking, mentorship and development of careers for staff 35 and under to help them grow at any stage of their career.

Vision:

All staff 35 and under will have the opportunity to grow, change and improve their career development. No matter how young or old you are, you can always better yourself as a leader.

Values:

• SELF-IMPROVEMENT. We pledge to work on our professional growth to better ourselves and better serve our communities.
• DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION. We create a welcoming, comfortable, and safe environment for all staff.
• TEAMWORK. We work together to ensure the betterment of ourselves and one another.
• INTEGRITY. We build open, honest communication in all that we do.
• COMPASSION. We are respectful of each other’s opinions and circumstances.

*The Young Professionals ERG will focus on staff 35 and under. However, the Young Professionals ERG welcomes all staff regardless of age and background.

APRIL 2025 - NATIONAL MINORITY HEALTH MONTH

Wheeler hosted a series of events for its staff focusing on raising awareness about health disparities and encouraging action to improve the health of racial and ethnic minority populations. 

• "Latina Cancer Survivorship and the Family" with Amanda M. Marín-Chollom, PhD
• "Minority Health and The Impact of Crisis Intervention Services" with Tiffany Hubrins, Senior Director - Congregate Care, Crisis, Early Childhood & EDT Services, and Emily Kahnke, Associate Director II, Mobile Crisis Intervention Services
• "Minority Health Month: Fewer Barriers, Better Outcomes: The Proven Role of CHWS in Minority Healthcare Equity" with Keturah Kinch, MPA, Senior Director of Health Center Patient Outcomes & Community Engagement
• "Increasing Colorectal Cancer Screening for Black and Hispanic/Latino Wheeler Patients" with Mariana Paxton, Senior Director of Quality Operations, Privacy Officer and Heidi Warseck, Senior Records Manager 

FEBRUARY 2025 - BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Free public events moderated by Diversity Officer Monique Daley, EdD, CDP.

PAST EVENTS

Tuesday, February 18th
10:00-11:00am
Black History Month
The Honorable Nuchette Black-Burke
Mayor of the Town of Windsor, CT

Monday, February 10th
1:30-2:30pm
Your Labor is Not in Vain: Celebrating Resilience and Championing Advancement in Leadership
Dr. Sarah Renee Langley
Founder & CEO of LeadHER International

To watch the recording of "Your Labor is Not in Vain," please contact info@wheelerhealth.org.

JANUARY 2025

Supporting our team in challenging times is as important as supporting our communities. These sessions are offered to staff in a variety of times and days to accommodate a variety of schedules.

• Finding Calm During Stressful Times: Mindfulness Session
• Fostering Psychological Safety in Professional Spaces: Mindfulness Session
• Strategies for Coping with Change: Mindfulness Session

Wheeler is a proud supporter, sponsor, and attendee at two Martin Luther King, Jr. scholarship events for partner organizations.

• The Greater Bristol Branch NAACP
• Hartford Alumnae Chapter - Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

OCTOBER 2024

We honor National Disability Employment Awareness Month in October! As we continue to celebrate our diverse and inclusive workforce, October is recognized as National Disability Employment Awareness Month. The theme for 2024 is "Access to Good Jobs for All." Approximately 10.7% (or approximately 1 in 9) of Wheeler’s current workforce self-identifies as having a disability. Thank you for your contribution to the growth and success of the organization.

Sydney Satchell, a member of the 2024 Paralympic gold-medal-winning sitting volleyball team, virtually shared her story of hope, perseverance, and resilience on Tuesday, October 22, in honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

SEPTEMBER 2024

• Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month: Pioneers of Change: Shaping The Future Together - Monday, September 30, 2024, 12:30-1:30 pm
  
  Join the live virtual discussion, "Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together," with Melissa Mendez, LCSW, IMH-E, director of Childhood Programs, Wheeler and Vanessa Nazario, MSM, MBA, Belonging and Equity Executive Leader, So Flo NALHE Chapter President