As noted by the personal mantra of Candi Castleberry-Singleton, “There’s power in the ampersand,” more can be accomplished when the various communities and organizations work collectively rather than individually.
UPMC and its Center for Engagement and Inclusion recognize this very fact, which is why, for the seventh year, on Aug. 26 at the UPMC Cancer Pavilion’s Herberman Conference Center, it honored some of its employees and community partners who embrace, demonstrate, share and support the commitment of engagement and inclusion throughout their daily practices at its Partnership Appreciation Event.
“These people do good work everyday and sometimes when you do work in social service organizations and human services organization, you’re competing in many cases, not necessarily for recognition, you’re actually competing for mind share of people who need your service that you offer. And why not create an event that recognizes the people who we partner with, so that we can collectively serve the communities, particularly the diverse communities of Pittsburgh?” said
, chief inclusion and diversity officer at UPMC. “I hope that people will continue to be inspired to do good work; not for recognition, but because the community needs us. ‘There’s power in the ampersand.’
There’s power in UPMC and the Department of Human Services. There’s power in the Department of Human Services and the NAACP…There’s power in what we can do together. And so tonight, as I celebrate all the good things, I also acknowledge the power that we have as people working together.
And we’re much more powerful working together than we are trying to do these things as individuals.”
David Bubas, program director of UPMC Employee Engagement and Inclusion, echoed Castleberry-Singleton’s sentiments in his remarks by saying, “This night is about each of you; it’s about all of us, and the incredible impact and efforts we all make together to create the best place for everyone.”
He credits UPMC’s success with its undying focus on its four key goals of creating an inclusive workplace; recruiting, retaining and developing a diverse workforce; insuring culturally appropriate care, products and services; and making a difference in all the diverse communities it serves.
“Inclusion begins with the core belief that everyone deserves dignity and respect,” he said.
The evening, which was hosted by the mistress of ceremonies, KDKA-TV reporter, host and producer Lynne Hayes-Freeland, included several presentations and remarks. It commenced with a video highlighting the work that UPMC’s employees and partners have accomplished throughout the year, followed by the award presentations. Awards were given in the categories of employee engagement, cultural awareness, community engagement and partner of the year. Each of the categories’ honorees demonstrated several behaviors, such as a commitment to fostering an inclusive environment, advancing inclusion by building an environment where everyone feels included, acting as a role model and actively giving back to the community they serve, just to name a few.
Honoree Ondréa L. Burton, manager of Events and Donations at the Allegheny County Department of Human Services and who received an award for her work through Project Prom, an initiative that helps young women and men have the memorable Prom, said she was grateful for the honor and the recognition of the role Project Prom plays in the county.
“Not only does it provide a respectful way for students to attend their prom in style and with confidence, it also inspires a positive relationship with the donors, since their contributions are made with the belief that memories of Prom are some of the most durable,” she said. “It’s been my sincere pleasure to shepherd this important program through its evolution. I look forward to seeing many more smiles ahead.”
Along with the awards, special acknowledgements were also made to UPMC’s Employee Resource Groups as well as Winifred Torbert, who will be retiring soon as the program director of Community Initiatives for the Center.
The heartwarming night ended with a surprise video presentation of Castleberry-Singleton and her journey with UPMC. She will be leaving late September to run the national dignity & respect campaign.
Other award recipients for the night were: Employee Engagement honorees Elizabeth Bujdos, Michele Scanlan, Tammy Minteer, all of UPMC; Cultural Awareness honorees Della R. Williams, Anna M. Roman, John Silipigni and Raymond Moluski, all of UPMC; and Community Engagement honorees, The Pittsburgh Promise, Burton, Dr. Kim Mathos, The UPMC Passavant Disabilities Committee, Erin Ryan of the Disabilities Resource Center, Sean Gibson for his Josh Gibson Foundation, Pete Cooper of Cooper Trading Inc., Emmai Alaquiva of Ya Momz House Inc., Daryl “Brother D” Craig for his work with Erie 365, the Thelma Lovette YMCA for its work with Hill District 365, Hosanna House for its work with Pittsburgh 365, Betty Hill of the PERSAD Center, Rup Pokharel of the Bhutanese Community Association of Pittsburgh, Shona Eakin of Voices for Independence, dance and fitness instructor Roland Ford and the Society for Contemporary Craft. Special honors were given to the Donald D. Wolff Jr. Center for Quality, Safety and Innovation, this year’s Loren H. Roth Inclusion Partner of the Year, and One on One Personal Training and Fitness, the Esther L. Bush Community Partner of the Year.
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