By Anita Creamer and Liz Madison, Vitals contributors

Richard Branson famously said, “Clients do not come first. Employees come first. If you take care of your employees, they will take care of the clients.” While some may nit-pick the British mogul’s phrasing, there is a growing contingent that adheres to this business philosophy.

Seeing and respecting individuals for who they are may be one of the simplest but most impactful ways employers can help employees feel supported. Each June, Sutter Health honors Pride Month, joining with the LGBTQ+ community to remember their struggles and triumphs and celebrate LGBTQ+ rights and culture. The Northern California healthcare system believes that embracing diversity, equity and inclusion provides a sense of belonging to employees, as well as to patients and communities.

For Pride Month 2023, Sutter asked members of its Pride Inclusion Resource Group, as well as others working within its system, what this month means to them.

Alyssa Rush

Alyssa Rush, nursing informaticist, Sutter’s California Pacific Medical Center Nursing Administration

What does it mean to you personally to work for an organization that has a Pride IRG?
This is a very valuable resource and group for everyone working with Sutter. For LGBTQ+ members, it allows us to have a group where we can interact with and support others. The group also allows LGBTQ+ allies to receive information and education about the group, which they might not have access to otherwise. The group allows everyone to have a resource to share their mutual differences in a safe and welcoming space.

Denise Boutwell

Denise Boutwell, patient advocate, Sutter Shared Services

As an LGBTQ+ community member, is there a positive personal experience related to diversity and inclusion you’ve had at work or while receiving care within Sutter that you’d like to share?
In the past, there were people who refused to call my wife anything but “your friend” or “your roommate.” That problem no longer seems to exist, and that feels very freeing.

Michael Bunuan, D.O.

Michael Bunuan, D.O., hospitalist, Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento

How has Sutter’s involvement in Pride had an impact on you?
I was attending Sacramento Pride in 2017 and remember Sutter having this huge presence at the festival. At that time, I was actually working and living in Solano County. But Sutter’s presence that year—and every year since— left such an amazing impression on me that when I decided to move to Sacramento, I first thought of applying to Sutter for a job.  Thankfully, I got in and I’ve been happy since. There is something to be said about an organization where there are many colleagues who are out and comfortable being so based on the support they feel at work.

Jack Breezee

Jack Breezee, food and nutrition services executive, Sutter Valley Area

What does it mean to you personally to work for an organization that has a Pride IRG?
The acknowledgment that LGBTQ+ diversity is valued, not just tolerated, at Sutter Health makes me proud to work at Sutter Health.

Erik Ferland

Erik Ferland (He/She/They), rehabilitation department supervisor, Sutter SeniorCare/PACE

How has Sutter’s involvement in Pride had an impact on you?
I have very much felt Sutter has embraced me. Our SeniorCare/PACE staff is supportive of me. When it came to walking with my colleagues during Pride, I want to represent the inclusivity and support that I have felt here.

When I see those along the parade route, especially the youth, they are just glowing. There are just these intense feelings of love when I go by. We are there making a visible difference to those who are trans or gender queer. And that matters.

Patricia Soto

Patricia Soto, medical assistant, Sutter Gould Medical Foundation Podiatry

What does it mean to you personally to work for an organization that has a Pride IRG?
Working with an organization with a Pride IRG in a more conservative area such as the Central Valley allows me to feel a sense of progress in a world that can sometimes feel stagnant.

Ariel Meyers, patient services lead, Palo Alto Medical Foundation

What does it mean to you personally to work for an organization that has a Pride IRG?
It is very rewarding for me because I feel safe and secure to be who I am. I am very thankful to work for a company that supports me, because it makes me feel whole as an adult to be accepted.