Pride Month: A Time of Reflection

Vanessa Bradley
Title: Emergency Medicine Reimbursement Manager
Employed by Carilion: 8 years 
Member and Co-Lead of the LGBTQ+ Allies ERG: 2 years
 

What is your role at Carilion?

I am the Emergency Medicine Reimbursement Manager for Medical Auditing. Our team reviews Emergency Department charts for each patient encounter to ensure all the necessary documentation is included and to apply facility charges.  

Can you share a little about the work of the LGBTQ+ Allies ERG?

The LGBTQ+ Allies ERG is dedicated to creating a safe, welcoming and affirming environment where all employees can do their best work as their authentic selves.

LGBTQ+ patients may experience barriers and often have unique healthcare needs. We’ve participated in a few initiatives to communicate respectfully with patients. We helped to implement pronoun guidelines for email signatures. We’ve also been involved in mammo nights, where LGBTQ+ women, nonbinary and trans individuals could go for their screening mammograms in a welcoming, confidential and safe environment to discuss health needs and receive care.

Additionally, our ERG provided input that helped our organization collect and use SOGI (sexual orientation gender identity) data.

The LGBTQ+ Allies ERG has also participated in Pride events in Roanoke and for SWVA Pride to show support for the LGBTQ community. Like other ERGs, we’ve also had booths at other events as well, like Local Colors.

What work with the ERG are you most proud of?

I’m very proud of our community involvement and our focus on creating a safe space. One of the wonderful things about our ERGs is that we have so many people from different backgrounds and experiences, but we share the same passion for creating a safe space for everyone.

I really appreciate what we as an organization put into our ERGs to be sure we’re giving our employees support. Most of our ERG’s focus has been directed toward the employee experience.

What led you to get involved in an ERG?

I love Carilion and I think we’re so fortunate to have opportunities like these. When I heard about the ERGs, I wanted to see what was available and continue to do work in this space.  

What does Pride month mean to you?

It’s a time for reflection – a time to look at our past and see how far we’ve come, a time to acknowledge the connections we have with others from similar backgrounds. This month is a good time to reflect on ways to foster an environment that centers around unity.

What would you want others to know about you or the LGBTQ+ Allies ERG?

It's really important to value and respect our differences to build trust. When we work together as teams, we need to show up as our best selves. When we build teams in a supportive environment that allows us to be our authentic selves, we show up to be our best and it is reflective in the work we do.

In the past, during the times when I faced adversity, it taught me a deeper sense of compassion and empathy. It honestly drove me to healthcare, to be in a field where I could help others. I think we find a deeper sense of compassion when we look from the vantage point of our challenges.

We need to understand each other a little more to help all of us be our best.

If you have questions, contact Dr. NL Bishop, Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, at nlbishop@carilionclinic.org.