Belonging at Southcoast Health
Committed to embracing a welcoming environment for all.
You are welcome here.
Southcoast Health actively supports and embraces a welcoming and inclusive environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity.
WE VALUE
a diverse, ethical and equitable culture, critical to ensuring our healthy and just organization.
WE CELEBRATE AND HONOR
the rich cultural backgrounds and unique attributes of one another, and the patients and communities we are privileged to serve.
WE STRICTLY PROHIBIT
and do not tolerate unlawful discrimination of any kind. Non-compliance is subject to immediate corrective action.
Celebrating Black History Month
Black History Month invites us to reflect on the stories, leadership and lived experiences that help shape who we are as an organization. This month, we’re spotlighting our More Voices of Color Coalition (MVCC) co-chairs – leaders who stepped forward not just to serve, but to create space for connection, advocacy and belonging.
We asked them to share what motivated them to take on a leadership role within the ERG and how that journey has strengthened their sense of community, purpose and belonging here at Southcoast Health. Here’s what they had to say.
Kim Pina, MSN, RN
Executive Director – Family Centered Unit & Pediatrics
Kim Pina shares her story during Black History Month on what motivated her to step into a leadership role for the More Voices of Color Coalition Employee Resource Group (ERG) at Southcoast Health.
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What motivated you to step into a leadership role for this ERG, and how has that experience shaped your sense of belonging at Southcoast?
Stepping into leadership of the ERG was motivated by a desire to create a space for voices that are often unheard and to help build a culture where people feel seen, valued and supported. I was drawn to the opportunity to influence positive change. Leading the ERG has deeply shaped my sense of belonging. Through this role, I’ve developed stronger relationships and have gained deeper appreciation for diverse perspectives.
What impact do you hope this ERG will have on employees of color – both in their day-to-day experience and in their long-term career growth?
My hope is that as the More Voices of Color Coalition continues to grow, employees of color will feel increasingly seen, heard and supported. I hope the ERG becomes a trusted space where individuals feel safe sharing their experiences, building community, and finding mentorship and advocacy.
If you could share one message with Southcoast employees about why this work matters, what would you want them to understand?
Participation in the More Voices of Color Coalition is about belonging, growth and partnership. Whether you join to share your story, listen and learn, or support colleagues, your engagement helps foster a culture where everyone feels they truly belong.
What are you most proud of in terms of the ERG’s work to date?
I am proud to have helped create the More Voices of Color Coalition to ensure the voices of our employees are heard. I’m also proud of the progress we’ve made together – recognizing MLK Day as a holiday, celebrating Black History Month, and participating in diverse community events.
Daphne C. Remy Gomes, MD, MPH
Southcoast Neonatology Executive Director – SHG, Charlton Memorial Hospital Level II Director
Southcoast Neonatology Executive Director – SHG and Charlton Memorial Hospital Level II Director, shares why the work of the Southcoast Health More Voices of Color Coalition is important to her.
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What motivated you to step into a leadership role for this ERG, and how has that experience shaped your sense of belonging at Southcoast?
I was motivated by both personal experience and professional responsibility. As a physician leader, I understand how important representation, psychological safety, and belonging are to individual wellbeing and organizational excellence. Leading this ERG has strengthened my own sense of belonging at Southcoast by affirming that diverse perspectives are valued and that I can help facilitate that same sense of belonging for others.
What impact do you hope this ERG will have on employees of color?
I hope the More Voices of Color Coalition provides meaningful connection and support in employees’ everyday experiences. We want to be a safe space when things are challenging at work and beyond. We would love to provide opportunities for mentorship and leadership development. We also recognize that employees of color are not a monolithic group, and one of our goals is to continue learning from and exploring the diversity of lived experiences within More Voices of Color. Creating space for that learning has been incredibly meaningful, and we want to do more of it.
If you could share one message with Southcoast employees about why this work matters, what would you want them to understand?
This work matters because belonging is essential to strong teams and high-quality patient care. When employees feel valued and supported, engagement increases, collaboration improves, and outcomes are better for both staff and the communities we serve.
What are you most proud of in terms of the ERG’s work to date?
I am most proud of the foundation we have established: creating a trusted, safe space for honest, and at times difficult or uncomfortable, conversations that may challenge the status quo and allow individuals to share their lived experiences. We are also deeply committed to supporting community businesses owned by people of color, intentionally elevating diverse voices, and being mindful of how critical representation is when we engage with youth and partner with schools in the community. Together, this work reflects both internal cultural growth and our broader responsibility to the communities we serve.
Danielle Medina
Executive Director – Contracting, SHN
Danielle Medina, Executive Director – Contracting, SHN, shares why the work she does to build an inclusive workplace matters.
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What motivated you to step into a leadership role for this ERG, and how has that experience shaped your sense of belonging at Southcoast?
I was motivated to step into a leadership role with the More Voices of Color Coalition because I saw the opportunity to help create the kind of workplace I would have wanted earlier in my career. One where employees of color feel seen, heard and supported. I wanted to help ensure that our perspectives are not only acknowledged but valued in meaningful ways.
Helping to lead this ERG has strengthened my own sense of belonging at Southcoast. Being part of a community that is working together toward shared goals has reinforced that my voice matters and that I have a role in shaping our culture. It has helped me feel more connected to both my colleagues and Southcoast Health as a whole.
What impact do you hope this ERG will have on employees of color – both in their day-to-day experience and in their long-term career growth?
In the day-to-day, I hope the More Voices of Color Coalition helps employees of color feel less isolated and more supported by fostering connection, open dialogue and shared understanding. Even small moments like having a space to speak openly or seeing your experiences reflected can make a significant difference in how people show up at work.
Long-term, I hope the ERG contributes to increased access to mentorship, leadership development and visibility for employees of color. The goal is to help create pathways where employees feel empowered to grow, pursue advancement and see themselves represented at all levels of the organization.
If you could share one message with Southcoast employees about why this work matters, what would you want them to understand?
This work matters because building an inclusive workplace benefits everyone. When people feel respected, valued and supported, they are more engaged, more collaborative, and better able to contribute their talents. At its core, this work strengthens our culture and helps Southcoast better reflect and serve the diverse communities we care for.
What are you most proud of in terms of the ERG’s work to date?
I’m most proud of the sense of community we’ve begun to build. Creating a space where employees feel comfortable showing up as their authentic selves and having honest conversations is a meaningful accomplishment. I’m also proud of the foundation we’ve built so far, and we know there is more work ahead as we continue to grow participation and strengthen our reach.
Faces of Southcoast Health
Bethany Duquette
At Southcoast Health, I feel truly supported – not just as an employee, but as a person. Inclusion and understanding are more than just words here, and that’s why I feel at home.
Fatima Melendez
I feel a sense of belonging at Southcoast Health because I have seen how the organization works to support staff through Employee Resource Groups that offer a sense of community to members.
Kimberley Coon
Southcoast has a family-like culture that welcomes and accepts everyone for who they are.
Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) at Southcoast Health
An Employee Resource Group (ERG) is a grouping of employees within an organization who share common interests or characteristics, such as ethnicity, race, sexual orientation or gender identity, disability, veterans, women, generations in the workplace, working parents, etc. ERGs are formed to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within the workplace and to create a welcoming and supportive community for members. Southcoast Health’s ERGs provide an opportunity for employees with shared interests to voice their perspectives and concerns, and to collaborate on initiatives that support our commitment to creating an inclusive workplace culture. At Southcoast Health, there is often a patient and community focus as well. Southcoast Health currently has 5 ERGs:
More Abilities
The More Abilities ERG is committed to making Southcoast Health a stronger organization by building a community that supports employees who have special needs or disabilities, as well as employees who are caretakers of people with special needs or disabilities and allies (to include physical, neurological, mental health, and other special needs or disabilities).
More Generations
The More Generations ERG focuses on recognizing the different generational characteristics, how to foster intergenerational collaboration can create successful outcomes, and how to avoid common misunderstandings between generations.
More Pride
The More Pride ERG was created to bring together a community of Southcoast Health’s LGBTQ+ employees, family members, friends and allies. This ERG offers opportunities to connect, provide support to each other and increase awareness of our LGBTQ+ community within Southcoast Health.
More Valor
The purpose of the More Valor ERG is to create a community of Southcoast Health veterans and allies that connect to, and provide support, each other, and to increase awareness of our veterans’ service to the country and our community.
More Voices of Color
The More Voices of Color ERG supports an inclusive community of employees of color and allies whose voices and actions together uplift our Southcoast family and community.
Building a Healthier, More Inclusive Community
Southcoast Health’s Belonging work is key to ensuring that our teams can care for the needs of our vibrant community.
