Public Statement 11/9/21

Equitas Health is pleased to announce that Dwayne Steward was recently appointed Interim Chief People and Culture Officer, effective November 5, 2021.

Prior to this appointment, Dwayne served as Senior Director of Prevention Programs.  In this capacity, he created our HIV prevention strategy to address continued rates of HIV infection in Ohio, including the disproportionate rates of HIV infection among youth, racial/ethnic minorities, and transgender and gender non-conforming communities of color; solidified our footprint as a harm reduction leader and invocator statewide; served as an active member and leader within Ohio’s LGBTQ+ community, and is a well-regarded writer, speaker, and activist.

As Dwayne takes on this expanded role, his focus areas will include:

• DEI Sustainability: Invest in the agency’s diversity, equity and inclusion structure and assist with building a long-term sustainability plan that is infused across all departments and agency operations.
• Pay Equity: An agency wide compensation audit will be conducted, and a follow-up plan will be created and executed based on the audit’s recommendations.
• Human Resources Policies Audit: A comprehensive equity audit of Equitas Health’s policies and procedures, which will lead to a recommendation report and action plan.
• Employee Wellness Initiative: Conduct a robust needs assessment and implement a follow-up action plan, which will include input from all levels of the agency.

This appointment is an important, tangible step as Equitas Health quickly takes action to support and strengthen our Diversity & Inclusion and Human Resources efforts.

About Equitas Health: 
Established in 1984, Equitas Health is a regional nonprofit community healthcare system. A federally-designated Community Health Center, it is one of the largest LGBTQ+ and HIV/AIDS serving healthcare organizations in the United States. With 21 offices in 13 cities, Equitas Health serves tens of thousands of patients in Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia each year through patient-centered, integrated, and cutting edge services, including primary and specialized medical care, pharmacy, dentistry, behavioral health, HIV/STI treatment and prevention, PrEP/PEP, Ryan White/HIV case management, care navigation, advocacy, and other community health initiatives. The Equitas Health Pharmacy is an integral and essential part of the health center’s comprehensive care and business models, reinvesting 100% of profits back into the organization’s programs and services. Equitas Health operates pharmacies serving patients in Ohio and Texas. The Equitas Health Institute and the Buckeye Region Anti-Violence Organization (BRAVO) are divisions of Equitas Health. For more information visit: EquitasHealth.com