3-3:30pm – Check-In & Networking

3:30-5pm – Panel 1: Understanding Implicit Bias and its impact on Healthcare Leadership

5-5:30pm – Dinner & Networking

5:30-7pm – Panel 2: Developing an Environment of Civility and Respect In Healthcare Organizations: Resources to Empower Healthcare Leaders to Identify, Intervene, and Prevent Workplace Bullying, Incivility and Disrespect

Location: Medical City Las Colinas, 6800 North MacArthur Boulevard, Irving, TX 75039

A special thanks to Medical City Las Colinas for hosting this event!!

Please note, Medical City Las Colinas requires all attendees wear a mask when not eating or drinking.

Panel 1: Understanding Implicit Bias and its impact on Healthcare Leadership

The communities for which healthcare organizations operate are rapidly diversifying. Not only do they provide care for a diverse community of patients and families, but their workforce is also growing more diverse. It is incumbent on healthcare organizations and their leaders to both understand and embrace the needs of diverse populations. Their ability to respond to the needs and preferences of a broader customer base will be critical to their financial and operational survival, but they first must understand what their implicit biases are to do that. The goal of the session is for leaders to understand and recognize internal biases both conscious and unconscious. This new program will focus on the healthcare leader’s personal recognition of internal bias and its impact on decisions in the organization. The impact of the healthcare leaders’ ability to recognize biases in areas such as employment and policy decision making will lead to increased diversity in individuals holding leadership positions and will help us better serve the communities we are in.

Panel 1 Panelists:

Reginald “Reggie” Carter, Managing Director, JENGA Capital Funds

Katie Bata Heeter, FACHE, Vice President Human Resources Strategic Business Services, Baylor Scott & White (Moderator)

Dresdene Flynn-White, FACHE, Managing Director, Acquired Leadership Solutions

Dr. DeLancey Johnson, DBA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, sHRBP, Senior Vice President, Office of Talent Management at Parkland Hospital System in Dallas, Texas

Merredith Simpson, Director, Human Resources Methodist Charlton Medical Center

Panel 2: Developing an Environment of Civility and Respect In Healthcare Organizations: Resources to Empower Healthcare Leaders to Identify, Intervene, and Prevent Workplace Bullying, Incivility and Disrespect

The organizational culture of a healthcare organization plays a critically important role in shaping the work environment for its employees. Organizations with environments of civility and respect recruit the best and brightest people, exude high morale and high job satisfaction by their employees, and demonstrate high performing teamwork. Unfortunately, disrespect and incivility at work is rampant in many organizations, and it’s on the rise. Uncivil behaviors are characteristically rude and discourteous, displaying a lack of regard for others.

Panel 2 Panelists:

Dr. Jim Allard, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, FACHE, VP and Chief Nursing Officer at Medical City Dallas; ACHENTX DE&I Committee Chair (Moderator)

Tina Bowers, Vice President, Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer Children’s Health, Dallas Texas

Felicia Miller, MBA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, CHHR, Executive VP and Chief Talent Officer, Parkland Health Dallas

Dr. Tamala Norris, Vice President Clinical Operations & Group Chief Nursing Officer United Surgical Partners International, Inc.

Panel 1 Speakers’ Bios:

Katie Bata Heeter is Vice President of Strategic Business Services at Baylor Scott & White Health, the largest not-for-profit health system in Texas. The integrated delivery network includes 49,000 employees, 52 hospitals, 7,500 affiliated physicians, more than 1,100 access points, Baylor Scott & White Research Institute and one of the nation’s largest accountable care organizations, Baylor Scott & White Quality Alliance.

In her role, Bata Heeter oversees implementation of HR programs that support leaders in advancing the mission of Baylor Scott & White Health.

Prior to her current role, Bata Heeter served in multiple human resources leadership roles including vice president and regional executive director at Advocate Aurora Health and its predecessor, Advocate Health Care. She also previously served as vice president and chief human resource director at Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital.

Bata Heeter received her bachelor’s degree in business from Eastern Illinois University and a master’s degree in business management from Northern Illinois University.

Dresdene Flynn-White is no stranger to success as both a business owner and a strategic business partner in the corporate world. First as an administrator in higher education, then on to a fifteen-year healthcare career with Kaiser Permanente. Leaving a lucrative career in corporate human resources and consulting, she started on her five-year entrepreneurial journey as an executive and business coach, advising and supporting small business owners. Q2 2022 Page 6 advising and supporting small business owners. Dresdene returned to corporate human resources as Vice President for Human Resources at JPS in 2010. She assumed the role of the network’s first Diversity Officer in January 2012. In this capacity she was responsible for the execution of the Hospital District’s Diversity strategies relating to the provision of culturally competent care for patients, the education and retention of a diverse workforce and an expansion of engagement with M/WBE and HUB VENDORS. From 2018-2021 Dresdene served as Senior Director for Diversity Initiatives for North Texas Leaders and Executives Advocating Diversity (LEAD) an organization built partnerships with the region’s most influential employers and helped connect them with talented, experienced professionals seeking new career opportunities in organizations that value diversity and inclusion. Having retired the third time, Dresdene has returned to healthcare consulting by establishing a boutique consulting practice (Acquired Leadership Solutions) focused on diversity and strategic leadership development including executive coaching and training. Dresdene is a unique health care professional, having experienced both corporate operational and business ownership roles. She is a credentialed manager responsible for establishing, consolidating, and realigning critical business areas to enable the initiation of new systems, definition of new business processes and responses to litigation and regulatory compliance issues. Dresdene serves on several community boards including the Fort Worth Metropolitan YMCA, Health Babies, Healthy Moms, Healthy Communities (H3); is past president of the North Texas Chapter of American College of Healthcare Executives, and former Co-Chair of the Tarrant County Cancer Disparities Coalition. She is a current member of the board of Baylor Scott and White All Saints.

Dr. DeLancey Johnson is certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SHRM-SCP, SPHR, sHRBP), and is an active member of American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) of North Texas. He holds a BA from Edward Waters College, an MBA from Syracuse University and a Doctorate in Business Management from Northcentral University in Scottsdale, Arizona. He serves as the 2022 Certification Director on the Board of Directors for the Mid-Cities Human Resource Association (MCHRA). He has over 20 years of HR experience working internationally, domestically in public and private sectors for-profit and non-profit organizations. Currently, Dr. Johnson is the Senior Vice President, Office of Talent Management at Parkland Hospital System in Dallas, Texas.

Merridth D. Simpson is the Director of Human Resources for Methodist Charlton Medical Center, part of the nonprofit Methodist Health System which employs nearly 10,000 staff throughout the Metroplex. Merridth oversees all aspects of Human Resources including policies and programs covering employment, compensation, benefits, performance management, employee relations, leadership development, recruiting and retention, and compliance with all applicable federal, state and local laws. Merridth serves on the Methodist Health System Intentional Inclusion & Diversity (II&D) Council and represents the organization on the Best Southwest Workforce Development committee. Previously Merridth served as the Diversity and Inclusion Manager at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas where she led the strategic development and implementation of the Institution’s diversity and inclusion strategy, impacting 15,000 faculty and staff. Merridth ensured that diversity, equity and inclusion were essential components of the Institution’s core missions of research, education and patient care, and implemented the Institution’s first Business Resource Groups (BRGs). Prior to joining UT Southwestern, Merridth held leadership roles at Raytheon, an aerospace and defense contractor, in their Intelligence and Information Systems (IIS) business segment. She held positions spanning communications, human resources, and diversity. While at Raytheon Merridth handled workforce planning of nearly 3,000 scientists and technical professionals, and streamlined the business’ performance and development processes. She spearheaded community outreach efforts in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM), grew the maturity of nine Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), and steered multiple diversity councils. Merridth is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management, Society for Diversity, Executive Women in Texas Government, and National Association of Health Services Executives. She serves on the Greater Dallas Advisory Board of the Texas Diversity Council, and previously served on the Board of Management for the Lakewest YMCA of Dallas. Merridth is a Certified Human Resources Management Professional (SHRM-CP), Certified Diversity Professional (CDP), Six Sigma Green Belt, and holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Relations and Business. Merridth resides in Midlothian, TX with her husband of 28 years and they have three grown children.

Panel 2 Speakers’ Bios:

Dr. Jim Allard is Vice President Nursing and Chief Nursing Officer at Medical City Children’s Hospital and Medical City Women’s Hospital – Dallas. His tenure has span 24 years in nursing. Jim’s interests include civility, diversity, equity and inclusion, shared governance, evidence-based practice, MAGNET and Just Culture principles. Jim earned a Doctorate of Nurse Practice at Texas Christian University. He holds a certification from ANCC as a Nurse Executive Advanced and is a member of ANA, TNA, AONL, TONL and ACHE. Jim gives back to the community through TNA, TONE and ACHE Committee work. His personal leadership vision is “To develop the leader in every nurse.”

With nearly 25 years of health care experience, Tina Bowers’ leadership career has been distinguished by a proven track record of comprehensive strategies and programs that generate effective leaders, improve culture, and promote inclusion and equity. Tina is currently responsible for developing and advancing the diversity and inclusion strategy at Children’s Health, one of the largest pediatric health systems in Texas. As a trusted advisor and collaborator of the organization’s CEO and operational leaders, she works to shape and sustain an inclusive workplace where employees and patients feel welcome, valued and respected – and importantly, where the workforce and policies reflect the patients, families and communities served. Many of her achievements represent groundbreaking, first-of-their-kind initiatives in the institution’s 108-year history, including its first-ever comprehensive Diversity & Inclusion strategy, cultural climate audit, annual D&I Impact Report, and the first-of-its kind Registered Apprenticeship model for Patient Care Technicians in the State of Texas. Prior to joining Children’s, Tina served in HR leadership roles at for-profit and not-for-profit health systems including Methodist Health System and Tenet Health. In addition to experience in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, she also has deep expertise and broad experience in numerous HR functional areas, including Talent Acquisition and Management, Organizational Development, Coaching, Learning/Training, and Leadership Development. Recently named one of the Top 100 Diversity Officers in the U.S. by the National Diversity Council and in 2019, nominated for the Outstanding D&I Professional award as part of the Dynamic Women of Color Champions of Change. Tina frequently serves as a host, speaker, panelist, and facilitator for high-profile D&I forums throughout North Texas and she is certified in Diversity Management in Healthcare, MBTI, Crucial Conversations, Emotional Intelligence, DDI and Crucial Accountability. Tina received her undergraduate degree from Chicago State University and holds an MBA from Southern Methodist University.

Felicia Miller, MBA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, CHHR, is the EVP & CTO at Parkland Health & Hospital System. Felicia has more than 30 years of leadership experience in healthcare HR across both non-profit and for profit health systems, including more than 22 hospitals and approximately 18,000 employees. Prior to joining Parkland she served as Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) for Tenet Healthcare Corporation’s Texas region. In that role she led the charge for comprehensive talent management in a heavily data-driven culture while fostering cross-functional working relationships with executive Bios/ PIC Contact # 2 Tuesday, March 1, 2022 4:25 PM Q2 2022 Page 9 heavily data-driven culture while fostering cross-functional working relationships with executive counterparts across divisions. Prior to her time at Tenet, Ms. Miller spent 19 years with Presbyterian Hospital Dallas (PHD) and Texas Health Resources. Her tenure with PHD included roles with increasing responsibility and seniority, having progressed from a career center coordinator to manager roles, senior HR generalist and director of HR. Felicia received a Master of Business Administration from LeTourneau University. She also has dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Health Information Management and Health Professions from Texas State University. Felicia’s professional certifications include Senior Professional Human Resources (SPHR), SHRM-Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) and Healthcare Human Resources (CHHR). She is also an active community member, involved in multiple business organizations and the recipient of numerous professional accolades.

Dr. Tamala Norris joined Tenet Healthcare and United Surgical Partners International in 2016 and serves as the Vice President of Clinical Operations and Group Chief Nursing Officer with oversight for USPI’s nursing operations, clinical practices, quality, and safety. She serves as an Editorial Board Member for the International Journal of Nursing Sciences and Clinical Practices, and as a board member for the Ambulatory Surgery Center Quality Collaborative. As a clinician, Tamala worked frontline in hospitals and was a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner. After leaving the bedside she served as a hospital then system leader of Quality, Patient Safety, Risk Management, and Regulatory Operations. Tamala holds a bachelor’s in nursing from South University and a Doctorate in Healthcare Administration from Walden University.