ACHECTx Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Event

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September 26, 2022

Written by: John Whittem

Approved for 1.5 ACHE Face-to-Face Credits

Communities served by health care organizations have rapidly diversified. Today, providers care for a diverse array of patients and families while the workforce changes. At times, our health care organizations and their leadership structures might not reflect the patient community. This diversity is exhibited in a number of ways, including ethnicity, race, religion, socioeconomic status, language, age, sexual orientation/gender identity, and physical ability.

The business implications and imperatives healthcare organizations face concerning diversity, equity, and inclusion are immense. Diverse communities often require different care needs, improved quality, new or modified operational processes and services, and strategic planning for a varied patient demographic. The continuum of care will need to be considered to best meet the needs of these communities.

It is incumbent on healthcare organizations and their leaders to both understand and embrace the needs of diverse populations. Leader’s abilities to respond to the needs and preferences of a broader customer base will be critical to their financial and operational success.

Date: Friday, October 21, 2022
Time: 1:30-4pm
Location: Ascension Seton – Texas Administrative Offices
1345 Philomena Street 4th Floor Conference Room Austin, TX 78723

Panelists:

Christann M. Vasquez
Chief Operating Officer
Ascension Texas

Jennifer Claymon
Attorney

Damerick Davis
Director of Operations for Ob
Hospitalist Group

Julian Slocum (Moderator)
United States Army-Retired
Equal Employment Opportunity Manager
Central Texas Veterans Healthcare System

Amber Vargas
Assistant Director of Clinical Operations
Baylor Scott & White Health

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Proudly sponsored by

Special thanks to our sponsor, WittKieffer for their organization’s support of the American College of Healthcare Executives Central Texas Chapter.

Additional event information

Panelists’ Bios:

Christann M. Vasquez, MHA, was named in August 2019 the chief operating officer of Ascension Texas. Previously, Christann served as regional hospital president for Dell Seton Medical Center at The University of Texas, Ascension Seton Medical Center Austin and Ascension Seton Shoal Creek. Christann joined Seton in August 2014 as the inaugural president of Dell Seton Medical Center and the president of University Medical Center Brackenridge. In 2016, she successfully opened our new academic medical center and collaborated with the medical school to recruit faculty for the school and strengthen academic and clinical programs.

During her tenure as regional hospital president, she developed a burn center for our 11-county region; has worked to launch the new abdominal transplant program; assisted with the development of an adult cystic fibrosis clinic at Ascension Seton Medical Center Austin; and participated with other executives to launch a new Administrative Residency Program, among other accomplishments.

Prior to Ascension Seton, Vasquez served as executive vice president and chief operating officer of University Health System, a partner of The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and led the strategic planning for and construction of a replacement for University Hospital. She also served as vice president and chief executive officer in the Memorial Hermann Healthcare System for more than 14 years in Houston and a past chief operating and chief financial officer for Harris County Public Health and Environmental Services. Vasquez holds a master’s degree in Healthcare Administration from the University of Houston, Clear Lake and a B.S. in Applied Behavioral Sciences from George Williams College in Illinois.

Vasquez is married to Scott Vasquez, her high school sweetheart and they have three amazing children, Devin, Kelsey and Steven. Vasquez also serves on the following boards and committees: Texas Hospital Association-Council on Policy and Development Chair, Ann Richards School Foundation Executive Committee, and the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce-Past Chair.

Jennifer Claymon offers more than 20 years of legal experience representing health care entities in Texas.

Board Certified in Health Law, Claymon focuses on administrative and health law related to hospitals, physicians and other health care providers, and she advises health care clients on a wide range of organizational and regulatory issues. Jennifer has worked extensively with health care facilities in drafting and revising governing body bylaws and medical staff bylaws, compliance plans, employee handbooks and policies and procedures.

She also advises businesses on compliance with state and federal employment laws, and has represented the interests of employers disputing claims of civil rights violations, age and gender discrimination, unfair compensation, and related matters.

Claymon received her J.D. (cum laude) from the University of Texas Law School in 1998, and B.A. (summa cum laude) from Texas A&M University in 1994. She’s been honored as a “Rising Star” in the Health Law field by Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters service, as published in Texas Monthly and Law & Politics magazines (2005‐2009, 2011‐2013), is listed as a Leader in Health Law by Chambers USA, and was named among “Best Lawyers in America” by Woodward White, Inc. for seven straight years (2014‐2021). Jennifer gives back to the legal community. She is a past president of the Health Law Section of the Austin Bar Association and previously served on the Texas Board of Legal Specialization Health Law Advisory Commission. She is a member of the American Health Lawyers Association and Austin Bar Association.

Damerick Davis is an accomplished health care leader with over 10 years’ experience working in the for-profit and non-profit healthcare realms. He currently serves as a Director of Operations for Ob Hospitalist Group where he oversees 17 Hospitalist program partnerships across the Midwest and Northeast. Prior to working with Ob Hospitalist Group, he served in various Operations roles with Sound Physicians.

Damerick graduated from Texas State University with a Bachelor of Healthcare Administration and the University of Texas at Tyler with a Masters of Business Administration.

Julian Slocum was born in Morton, MS. He enlisted in the United States Army in February 1999, graduated Basic Training, and Advanced Individual Training in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. His stateside assignments include Fort Bragg, NC; Fort Benning, GA; Fort Knox, KY; Redstone Arsenal, AL; and Cleveland, OH. His overseas assignments include Heidelberg, GM. He has deployed to Kosovo for combat and peacekeeping operations.

Mr. Slocum military/civilian education includes Basic Leaders Course (BLC), Advanced Leaders Course (ALC), Senior Leaders Course (SLC), Army Recruiters Course, Preventive Dentistry Specialist Course, Equal Opportunity Advisors Course, and Basic Mediation Course. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Liberal Arts from Excelsior College and is currently pursuing his master’s degree in Management from Sullivan University.

Mr. Slocum awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Superior Unit Award, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and the NATO Defense Medal.

Mr. Slocum served as a Healthcare Manager, Recruiting Manager, and Equal Opportunity Program Manager during his military career. Mr. Slocum retired from the United States Army in May 2020. Mr. Slocum currently serves as the Equal Employment Opportunity Manager for the Central Texas Veterans Healthcare System.

Amber Vargas is a healthcare administrator with experience in hospital operations and physician practice management. In her current role as Assistant Director of Clinical Operations for Baylor Scott & White Health, the largest not-for-profit healthcare system in Texas and one of the largest in the United States, she manages daily practice operations.

Prior to her role in healthcare, Vargas started her career in the fine dining service industry where she held the role of Assistant Wine Director at Steiner Ranch Steakhouse. Since she has been able to incorporate her expertise in Strategic Planning, Business Processes and Development, Project Management, Informational Technology, and Human Resources. Her work includes building teams, assessing service line volume enhancement, and integrating departments around purpose and passion to drive employee satisfaction and engagement.

Vargas earned a bachelor’s degree in Health Science from the University of Houston and a master’s degree in Healthcare Administration from Texas State University. She holds certifications in Lean Six Sigma, Microsoft Excel, and Project Management, and is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Vargas believes that personal success comes from helping others succeed. She was first inspired by receiving the St. David’s Neal Kocurek Scholarship out of high school that provides financial assistance and a robust mentoring program. She is now a mentor to current recipients of the scholarship and serves on the scholarship committee where she participates in the selection process, fund-raising, and health and community initiatives.

When she isn’t working, Amber is traveling, enjoying bodies of water, and spending time with family and friends. Her competitive nature keeps her active in Crossfit to keep up with her lifestyle of finding the best “hole in the wall spots to eat”.

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