Trina Parks Recognized for Her Leadership, Influence, and Contributions to Expanding RWJBarnabas Health’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategies
West Orange, NJ, September 21, 2021 – Trina Parks, DHA, FACHE, Executive Vice President, Chief Corporate Diversity and Inclusion Officer, RWJBarnabas Health, was one of a select group of 10 executives who were named a Diversity Leader to Watch as part of Modern Healthcare’s 2021Top Diversity Leaders in Healthcare list. This nationwide recognition honors the top healthcare executives from diverse backgrounds who have demonstrated a commitment to expanding and improving access to care, regardless of a patient’s race, ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation, and the organizations that have bolstered the diversity of their workforces, including the leadership and governance ranks.
Ms. Parks is responsible for corporate diversity and inclusion for RWJBarnabas Health, including leadership and board accountability and communication, employee development and training, diverse community engagement and patient inclusion. In 2016, Ms. Parks created and launched the Corporate Office of Diversity and Inclusion at RWJBarnabas Health. She has on-boarded nine Diversity and Inclusion site directors to accomplish and expand the System’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) strategies and has launched initiatives to foster and create a more inclusive environment for patients, employees, practitioners and visitors.
“Modern Healthcare’s recognition of Trina as a Diversity Leader to Watch is a well-deserved testament to her passion and dedication toward providing a diverse and inclusive workplace at RWJBarnabas Health, and addressing health disparities in our greater New Jersey community,” said Barry H. Ostrowsky, President and Chief Executive Officer of RWJBarnabas Health. “Trina has been integral in helping to shape the conversation at both the system and the state level about the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion in healthcare. Her influence goes far beyond the hospital walls, extending into the communities and lives of RWJBarnabas Health’s patient population.”
Ms. Parks and her team have put in place several best practice models throughout RWJBarnabas Health, which have been instrumental in promoting a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion among system employees. She and her team have been intentional in establishing targeted goals such as requiring that 50% of final leadership candidates, director and above are racially and/or ethnically diverse. In addition, Ms. Parks led a system-wide initiative to provide LGBTQ cultural sensitivity training to frontline staff and practitioners who care for patients. Furthermore, Ms. Parks’ team also facilitated the implementation of new fields in the system’s registration process, asking one’s preferred name, sex assigned at birth, and current gender at the point of entry.
Ms. Parks received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Montclair State University, a Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration from Seton Hall University, a Mini-MBA in Strategic Healthcare Management from Rutgers University and a Doctorate in Healthcare Administration from Virginia University of Lynchburg, a Historical Black College University.
ABOUT RWJBARNABAS HEALTH
RWJBarnabas Health is the most comprehensive academic health care system in New Jersey, with a service area covering nine counties with five million people. The system includes eleven acute care hospitals; three acute care children’s hospitals and a leading pediatric rehabilitation hospital with a network of outpatient centers, a freestanding 100-bed behavioral health center, two trauma centers, a satellite emergency department, ambulatory care centers, geriatric centers, the state’s largest behavioral health network, comprehensive home care and hospice programs, fitness and wellness centers, retail pharmacy services, a medical group, multi-site imaging centers and two accountable care organizations. In meeting its mission of creating healthier communities, RWJBarnabas Health seeks to address the clinical and social determinants of health, improve health outcomes, promote health equity, and eliminate health care disparities.
RWJBarnabas Health is in partnership with Rutgers University to create New Jersey’s largest academic health care system. The collaboration will align RWJBarnabas Health with Rutgers’ education, research and clinical activities, including those at the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey - the state's only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center - and Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care. To learn more, please visit www.rwjbh.org.