Lawonda Brown-Lucas, DNP, RN spearheaded the Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity (EID) Committee while serving as a frontline nurse in the Family Birthing Center (FBC). Her commitment to fostering a compassionate and inclusive environment led to meaningful discussions on unconscious bias and its impact on maternity care.“
The most impactful thing we’ve done is create a safe space for people to acknowledge their racial biases and ask questions,” Brown-Lucas reflected.
These discussions, enriched with teach-ins, book readings, and terminology examples, empowered clinicians to confront stereotypes and gain cultural understanding. Topics like mental health trauma’s influence on pregnancy care showcased the committee’s forward-thinking approach.
After her promotion to FBC Manager, Brown-Lucas entrusted the leadership to Roseanna Ainsley, BSN, RN, SN III in January 2024. Under Ainsley’s guidance, the committee continues to create judgment-free spaces where participants can share experiences, reflect, and challenge biases collaboratively. The group remains focused on advancing professional growth and ensuring more inclusive and compassionate care.
The EID Committee’s work is transformational by fostering empathy, improving patient-provider connections, and addressing disparities. Its impact reaches beyond individual clinicians, reshaping maternity care delivery with equity and understanding.
Read more: https://lookinside.kaiserpermanente.org/fighting-bias-in-pregnancy-care/