Diversity is one of the cornerstones of MSK’s success. Different viewpoints, ideas, experiences, and cultures unite to spark innovation, compassion, research, and cutting-edge care for people worldwide battling cancer.

This month, we’re celebrating Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month to honor the history, influence, and contributions of Hispanics and Latinos at MSK and in the community.

“We host multiple events for employees that share and celebrate our MSK staff's heritage and richness of traditions,” said Vanessa Rodriguez, associate director of Integrated Marketing & Communications and Employee Engagement. She is also the co-lead of BLAM (the Black, Latino, Asian and Multiracial ERN) one of MSK’s seven Employee Resource Networks, which help diverse voices and experiences rise throughout the organization.

“We aim to celebrate the differences among our employees and shine a light on the diverse culture that contributes to the success of our organization,” she said.

Esraa Soliman (BLAM), Noel Collo (BLAM), Candice DeJesus (Working Parents), Simone Hutchinson  (ABLE), Christine Watt (ED&I Office)

Celebration & Conversation

Every heritage month, the Employee Resource Networks collaborate with the office of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion and Marketing and Communications to find and share the stories of staff from different backgrounds.

Alexis Lopez is one of the many employees sharing their stories this month. He is a first-generation Dominican American who has held a variety of positions at MSK for 23 years. Today, he is crucial to ensuring locations across New York and New Jersey have the proper supplies to continue providing compassionate, life-saving care.

You can also read about Jose Casa, who followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the U.S. Navy. After his service and losing a friend to cancer, he found a new purpose and career at MSK, where he says, “I get paid to talk trash.” He’s been with MSK for three decades and currently serves as an Associate Director of Environmental Services.

The ERNs also organize and host events for staff, patients, families, and the community. This month, MSK is hosting:

• A salsa and Latino fusion dance workshop for all employees: Bailando Conmigo. The hour-long dance workshop took place during lunchtime in the auditorium of Rockefeller Research Laboratories with a professional dance instructor.

• MSK will host a Death Over Dinner en Español event for the first time for MSK Spanish-speaking employees, patients, and caregivers. In partnership with the Patient and Family Advisory Council for Quality (PFACQ), the Death over Dinner series brings medical and wellness leaders from MSK together to facilitate and transform the difficult, sensitive topic of death into a conversation of insight and empowerment.

Finding Commonality & Differences

Community, camaraderie, and collaboration all help the employees and teams at MSK join in the united fight against cancer.

In addition to helping employees connect over shared commonalities and experiences while celebrating differences, the ERNs help people get involved in system-wide projects, expand their networks within the organization, and build interpersonal and professional skills.

MSK’s Employee Resource Networks include:

• BLAM (Black, Latino, Asian and Multiracial)
• ABLE: Abolishing Barriers and Limitations for Everyone
• BLAM FFA: BLAM Faculty & Fellows Alliance
• MWM: MSK Women on the Move
• MSK LGBTQ+ Pride
• VETERaN: Veterans Engaged Toward Employee Resources and Networking
• Working Parents at MSK

“Outside of social networking, BLAM's programs also help create platforms that allow employees' voices to be heard and amplify the power of diverse thinking to influence and define our workplace culture,” Rodriguez said. “BLAM’s ERN programs enable us to help bring unique thinking and different points of view and perspectives to the table from various employees across the organization.”