Employee Resource Groups

OHSU seeks to attract, retain,  develop the best talent available and create an environment that values diversity and inclusion. Our continued success depends on the diverse skills, experiences, and backgrounds that all our employees bring to OHSU. To help foster growth and development while meeting the needs of a more diverse workforce, OHSU supports the formation and ongoing success of Employee Resource Groups (ERGs).

What are Employee Resource Groups

Employee Resource Groups are OHSU-sponsored and employee-managed groups. They comprise of faculty and staff from underrepresented backgrounds or who share a common background or similar interest and their allies. ERGs offer opportunities for everyone to learn about and appreciate each other. ERGs provide opportunities for career development, social support, networking, mentoring, community participation, cultural awareness and employee engagement.

What Groups are Available

The Asian Pacific Islander Employee Resource Group (API ERG) provides opportunities for the OHSU API community and their supporters to create awareness and further develop healthcare cultural competency among OHSU students, faculty, researchers, clinicians and staff. The API ERG creates and preserves an inclusive space to build and strengthen a Pan-Asian/Pacific Islander identity, and advocate for the diverse needs of API communities. To connect, email api@ohsu.edu or connect on Facebook. OHSU employees can view the API ERG page.

The Black ERG, open to all faculty and staff, hosts networking and skill development events, with a specific emphasis on enhancing cultural competency and advancing diversity and inclusion. To get in volved, email blackerg@ohsu.edu. OHSU can view the Black ERG page.

The mission of CUERG is to co-create spaces of meaningful engagement and bi-directional learning to support all Latino/a/e or Hispanic members at OHSU. Our goal is to build bridges that leverage social-cultural-educational capital across divisions and departments. We strongly encourage allies to attend, share, and fully participate, as they play a crucial role in promoting our larger mission of justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion within the OHSU community.

To learn more and get added to our newsletter listserv, contact culturasunidas@ohsu.edu. You can also get updates from us on our teams page located here.  

The Disability Employee Resource Group  serves as a resource to bring individuals with disabilities together with their allies to create a safe place to voice concerns and to provide peer support. The group seeks to continuously improve accessibility at OHSU and to create a culture of inclusion. It is committed to advocating for the rights of individuals with disabilities and to educate and nurture awareness of the strengths they bring to the OHSU community. To get involved, please contact co-chair Tony Mareino mareino@ohsu.edu. OHSU employees can view the Disability Employee Resource Group page on Sharepoint

In an increasingly multicultural world, multilingual employees are valuable and highly skilled people that contribute significantly to OHSU’s mission. The diversity of our members is reflected in the different languages we speak. It is important to celebrate, honor and recognize the linguistic abilities of OHSU employees. The spoken language can be a powerful means for sharing our cultures, uniqueness and learning about our diverse cultures represented by the membership.

To get involved, contact Marianna Phipps or Jenny Lee Berry.

The mission of the Indigenous People's employee resource group is to honor Indigenous tradition of building community by creating an inclusive and respectful environment for all members to thrive. We envision an institutional culture of inclusivity that acknowledges, honors and intentionally creates space for Indigenous people.

To get involved, contact Rosa Frutos  or Dove Spector.

The International Employee Resource Group (IERG) shares resources about adjusting to OHSU and the Pacific Northwest by connecting international employees , students and volunteers with OHSU services, community organizations, cultural events and diverse businesses. The IERG helps OHSU's international members to expand their social network and support each other in new cultural environments. To learn more, email ierg@ohsu.edu. OHSU employees can view the International ERG page

Mission
To support OHSU's growth and success locally and globally, bridge OHSU and Middle Eastern and North African cultures and communities and empower members through development and opportunities while fostering an environment of diversity, equity, and inclusion at OHSU.

Vision
We embrace and celebrate the tapestry of our rich Middle Eastern and North African cultures. By recognizing our collective diversity of experiences, the MENA ERG empowers a greater sense of community and visibility. Through networking and connections, we create a space for learning and belonging. Ultimately, we raise cultural awareness, create mentorship opportunities and advocate for advancement of MENA identifying employees at OHSU.

Please contact meerg@ohsu.edu for more information.

In an increasingly multicultural world, multilingual employees are valuable and highly skilled people that contribute significantly to OHSU’s mission. The diversity of our members is reflected in the different languages we speak. It is important to celebrate, honor and recognize the linguistic abilities of OHSU employees. The spoken language can be a powerful means for sharing our cultures and uniqueness but also a way to experience - intentionally or not - some type of linguistic bias.

To get involved, contact Mariana Phipps, Jenny Lee Berry, Leslie Garcia and Cathy Villagomez

The mission of OHSU Pride is to foster an inclusive environment that promotes LGBTQ wellness, networking opportunities, education, research, and advocacy within and across OHSU and the community. For inquiries or to learn more, email OHSU Pride.

The Older Employee Resource Group is focused on helping older employees manage their careers and lives healthfully, positively and productively while celebrating every stage of life. The group offers a welcoming space for employees and volunteers of all ages to network and to share perspectives, interests, insights and support – and it aims to promote understanding and respect among people of all generations. To learn more or to sign up, contact the Center for Diversity and Inclusion.

The Remote Work ERG seeks to act as a support hub for remote workers who may share issues and/or feelings commonly associated with remote work. They are a supportive community that strives to help remote workers feel more connected to each other, as well as OHSU. They accomplish this through monthly WebEx meetings, virtual pet parades, their highly interactive Teams page, participation in virtual charity events, raffles, celebrations of special events, and much more.  Their Teams page is full of tips, such as recipes, break reminders, desk exercises, book recommendations, self-care tips, member photos,conversations, encouragement, and more. The Remote Work ERG is open to all remote faculty, administration, students and staff. 

To join, or learn more, please e-mail remoteworkerg@ohsu.edu .

  • The Veterans' Employee Resource Group (VERG) is a self-directed community for veterans at OHSU to network, socialize, share resources, and more. Active service members and non-veteran supporters are also welcome. The VERG works to improve the climate of respect and acceptance for veterans at OHSU and increase the overall awareness of veteran presence and contributions. To connect, join, or learn more, please reach out on MS Teams, view their Bridge page, or email them at verg@ohsu.edu.

The Women's ERG hosts women-focused events, meetings, networking opportunities, discussions, social gatherings and presentations. It is open to all faculty, administration, students and staff. To connect, join, or learn more, please reach out on MS Teams, visit the WERG page, or email us at women@ohsu.edu.