AORN receives Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award from the Denver Business Journal
By: AORN Staff
Published: 6/27/2023
Denver, Colo. – The Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN), a national non-profit that represents the interests of more than 200,000 perioperative nurses who care for surgical patients from pre-op and surgery through postoperative recovery, is honored to receive a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) award from the Denver Business Journal.
AORN was recognized for creating a comprehensive DEI program that prioritized diversity and inclusion across the association to positively impact how perioperative nurses can improve care and reduce health inequities among underserved patient populations.
“AORN is committed to incorporating diversity, equity and inclusion principles into our work with our members, facilities, industry partners, our communities and for our patients,” said AORN CEO & Executive Director Linda Groah, MSN, RN, CNOR, NEA-BC, FAAN. “Our organization is proud to provide leadership in public and health policies that support DEI initiatives. It’s imperative as we strive to advance more inclusive patient care.”
According to the Denver Business Journal, the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Awards “highlight both outstanding organizations and outspoken individuals in metro Denver who are going above and beyond to bolster equality across all areas of diversity, including age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity and religion.”
AORN demonstrates a commitment to improving patient care through greater surgical workplace diversity, equity and inclusion—and advances this through financial support, education and advocacy.
AORN recently raised $65,000 to establish the national Barba Edwards Scholarship through the AORN Foundation for students or nurses of color to advance their nursing careers, and AORN contributed another $35,000 in support of scholarships for Black, Latino and transgender nursing students in Denver and nationally.
At the 2023 annual conference AORN supported education sessions and research posters on DEI practice innovations. AORN also published a position statement on health care equity and racial justice and conducted focus groups to better understand the needs of LGBTQ+ and minority patient populations that will support nursing practice improvements.
About AORN
The Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN), founded in 1949 and headquartered in Denver, Colo., represents the interests of more than 200,000 perioperative nurses by providing evidence-based research, education, standards, and practice resources. AORN unites and empowers perioperative nurses, healthcare organizations, and industry partners to support safe surgery for every patient, every time.
