PITTSFIELD, MA – Berkshire Health Systems has announced the appointment of Charles Redd, MS, RN, to the newly created position of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Officer, the organization’s first full-time role dedicated to proactively developing and implementing diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives that impact patients, employees and the community.

 

"At Berkshire Health Systems, we know we have substantial work ahead of us in order to further our mission of?advancing the health and wellness of everyone in our community in a welcoming, inclusive, and personalized environment," said Darlene Rodowicz, Berkshire Health Systems President and CEO. "I am pleased to announce that, with the approval of our BHS Board of Trustees and the strong support of our senior leadership team, we have recently taken a major step toward living this mission. We welcome Charles to this new role."

 

Redd will report directly to the President and CEO and will work closely with leaders across the health system to advance its mission,?identify and reduce health disparities, create welcoming environments for patients, and support a diverse workforce.?He will begin his new role on Aug. 1. 

 

A long-time resident of Berkshire County and a nurse for more than 27 years, Redd began his career as a nursing assistant in 1985. He has worked in nursing positions of increasing responsibility for nearly three decades, including at Baystate Medical Center as Assistant Manager of Telemetry and ICU Step-Down Units, Director of Emergency and Behavioral Health Services, and Clinical Documentation Improvement Lead. Most recently, Redd has served as the

Director of Quality for Fairview Hospital.

 

"I am driven by a desire to make a difference, care for others, and be the voice of the voiceless—from the frontlines of healthcare to the under-resourced neighborhoods in our community," said Redd.

 

Redd has been engaged in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion work for more than ten years, first as part of the Black Employees Connecting resource group at Baystate Health and then as a leadership fellow with Partnership Inc. in Boston. Locally, Redd represents Berkshire Health Systems on the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services’ (EOHHS) Health Equity Accountability Group and the Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association’s (MHA) Hospital Incentive Workgroup. These two state-level committees work to better understand data, tracking, quality standards, and accountability in matters of race, ethnicity, language, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, and economic status and make recommendations to state leaders about how to implement health-equity programming and distribute related funding.

 

He is currently a member of the BHS Council for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and writes a weekly blog exploring relationships, respect, and equity called Dignity Freedom Fighter.

 

"Charles has a profound understanding of the challenges and opportunities for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion that exist in our health system and our community, and I am excited to see the growth and development that he will support in our organization through the DEI Officer position," said Rodowicz.