STORY

Black History Month: A Time for Reflection

February 01, 2021 | 2 min Read

Throughout February, UnitedHealth Group honors Black History Month. The celebration calls on all Americans to reflect on the significant roles Black Americans have played in shaping our nation’s history. 

"Black History Month is an opportunity for everyone to commemorate Black history. It’s important that we recognize, understand and learn from the past so we continue to move forward in a more positive and unified way. It’s also an important part of building a culture in which people of all backgrounds feel valued, fully included and heard.” 

– Norman Wright, Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer, Optum

Driving Change

To advance a health system that works better for everyone, UnitedHealth Group is working to address systemic issues that cause health disparities. “Our mission involves connecting all people to better health,” said Wright. “So much of a person’s ability to access and receive care is tied to cultural and social disparities — including race. If we are going to truly live our mission, we have to understand and remove these systemic disparities.”

UnitedHealth Group, UnitedHealthcare and Optum are working to deliver personalized care based on individual needs; promote equity and diversity in the health care workforce; improve the health of underserved communities; and leverage data and emerging analytics to address disparities in care. Learn How We Do It.

Inclusion and Leadership

At UnitedHealth Group, we celebrate our people, ideas and experiences — creating a culture where all team members are appreciated, valued and able to contribute to their full potential. Hear from a few leaders as they describe how the importance of inclusion and respect for others have influenced their career development.

Recognition for Advancing Diversity and Inclusion

The National Diversity Council (NDC), the first nonprofit organization to bring together the private, public and nonprofit sectors to discuss the benefits of a multicultural environment, has named Optum’s Norman Wright and UnitedHealthcare’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Margaret-Mary Wilson two of the top 100 most influential African American leaders in business. “It’s deeply humbling for me to be included on this list because it represents UnitedHealth Group and the culture of inclusivity we are building together,” said Wright.

The award includes a select group of individuals who exhibit exceptional leadership qualities, challenge the status quo and demonstrate creativity, empathy and humility. “I am truly humbled to be included on this list of remarkable leaders,” said Wilson. “I am also proud and privileged to work for UnitedHealth Group — an organization that champions inclusion and diversity as part of our collective mission to transform and reinvent health care globally.”

Read more about this honor for Wright and Wilson on LinkedIn.

SPOTLIGHT

Sustainability Report

See our Sustainability Report for more information on how our 325,000 diverse team members worldwide are dedicated to helping people live healthier lives and helping make the health system work better for everyone
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