Statement from CommonSpirit Health CEO Lloyd H. Dean in Support of Our AAPI Communities, Patients, and Colleagues

CommonSpirit Health is deeply committed to combatting racism through achieving health equity.  The recent acts of hatred, bias, discrimination and violence against individuals from Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities are alarming and unacceptable. As one of the nation’s largest healthcare systems, we stand against racism in any form. Our Catholic heritage acknowledges the inherent dignity of every person.

The fear and misinformation influencing the false belief that AAPI community members somehow caused the COVID-19 pandemic or anything else, hate-inspired violence, discrimination, racism, or xenophobia in any form must not be tolerated. We call on all Americans to join us in unequivocal condemnation of violence against AAPI people and to share our appreciation for the past, present and future contributions from the AAPI communities that enrich the lives of all Americans.

On behalf of CommonSpirit Health, our workforce, patients and communities of AAPI heritage, we express our deepest regrets for the violence and anti-Asian hate behaviors being displayed across America and in communities we serve. We also want to assure our AAPI employees, patients and community members that they are welcome in our ministry. Harassment of anyone who interacts within any of our facilities based on an individual’s race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, marital status, religion, creed, physical/mental disability, medical condition, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, citizenship, payer source or ability to pay, or other protected categories by applicable federal, state or local law will not be tolerated. If you experience harassment of any kind or witness harassment of another, we implore you to promptly report the concern to your supervisor, manager, another manager or Human Resources.

Our nation’s greatness derives from its rich diversity. We call for change and racial justice through solidarity.

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About CommonSpirit Health

CommonSpirit Health is a nonprofit, Catholic health system dedicated to advancing health for all people. It was created in February 2019 by Catholic Health Initiatives and Dignity Health. With its national office in Chicago and a team of approximately 150,000 employees and 25,000 physicians and advanced practice clinicians, CommonSpirit operates 140 hospitals and more than 1,000 care sites across 21 states. In FY 2020, CommonSpirit had revenues of $29.6 billion and provided $4.6 billion in charity care, community benefit, and unreimbursed government programs. Learn more at www.commonspirit.org.