Seattle Children’s Assessment Committee Work is Underway
Committee Provides Process for Sharing Information
1.30.21
Statement from The Seattle Children’s Assessment Committee
“The Assessment Committee, working with the law firm Covington & Burling LLP, has begun its work and will continue to meet regularly throughout the course of Covington’s review.
The Assessment Committee has been authorized by the Board of Trustees to assess both the issues raised by Dr. Danielson, as well as Seattle Children’s systems, policies, and practices, and to make recommendations to address any issues of racism or racial inequity.
Working with the Assessment Committee, Covington will produce findings and recommendations and present them to the Board of Trustees, which will provide a report to the public at the end of the process.
The Seattle Children’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), under the direction and oversight of the Board of Trustees, will be responsible for implementing the recommendations.
To promote an environment most conducive to full and frank sharing of information by members of Seattle Children’s workforce, its patients and families, and the broader community, information communicated to the Assessment Committee will be kept confidential.
In order to facilitate this information sharing, Covington is providing the methods of contact listed below so that anyone who has relevant information to share may do so confidentially and directly with the Covington team:
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Physical Mail Seattle Children's |
Telephone voicemail (202) 662-6947 |
The Assessment Committee encourages current and former members of Seattle Children’s workforce, patients, former patients, family members, and others from the community to share any information they believe will be relevant to Covington’s work. Covington will review all emails and information received as a part of their independent assessment. Seattle Children’s will allow any present or former member of its workforce who is subject to a non-disparagement or confidentiality agreement to provide any information to Covington, or to be interviewed by Covington confidentially and without restriction, if they choose to do so. Covington is able to conduct interviews in multiple languages and to review and analyze information provided in multiple languages.
The Assessment Committee intends for Covington to engage broadly, to understand the nuanced experiences of communities that Seattle Children’s serves, and to take an intentionally inclusive and holistic approach to ensure that all voices are heard, particularly those from historically marginalized and vulnerable populations.”
Additional Background:
The Assessment Committee was created by the Seattle Children’s Board of Trustees to review issues of systemic racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion at Seattle Children’s, including the issues raised by Dr. Ben Danielson. After conducting a competitive process, the Assessment Committee chose Covington & Burling LLP, led by former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, to lead an independent review of Seattle Children’s and produce actionable recommendations.
About Seattle Children’s
Seattle Children’s mission is to provide hope, care and cures to help every child live the healthiest and most fulfilling life possible. Together, Seattle Children’s Hospital, Research Institute and Foundation deliver superior patient care, identify new discoveries and treatments through pediatric research, and raise funds to create better futures for patients.
Ranked as one of the top children’s hospitals in the country by U.S. News & World Report, Seattle Children’s serves as the pediatric and adolescent academic medical center for Washington, Alaska, Montana and Idaho – the largest region of any children’s hospital in the country. As one of the nation’s top five pediatric research centers, Seattle Children’s Research Institute is internationally recognized for its work in neurosciences, immunology, cancer, infectious disease, injury prevention and much more. Seattle Children’s Foundation, along with Seattle Children’s Guild Association – the largest all volunteer fundraising network for any hospital in the country – works with our generous community to raise funds for lifesaving care and research.
For more information, visit seattlechildrens.org or follow us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram or on our On the Pulse blog.