Summary:
DAS Karent T. Comfort visits University of El Paso to begin talks to establish MSI/MSO National Partnership. Individuals pictured left to right: John Wiebe, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, DAS Karen T. Comfort, Crystal Cherry, Deputy Director, Dallas Ft. Worth Federal Executive Board, Callia Cox, Public Affairs Specialist , Dr. José O. Rivera, Founding Dean - School of Pharmacy , Louie Rodriguez, J.D., Vice Provost for Professional Development, Engagement, and Strategic Initiatives
A Message from the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion & Chief Diversity Officer
My family has valued public service for as long as I can remember. As a little girl, I recall walking into the offices of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW) where my mother worked as a Payroll Technician. I admired her and all the women of color who worked alongside her. They were inspirational in their unwavering work ethic and dedication to service. My mother, Barbara, never finished her college degree because she and my father were determined to give my sister and me the best education so we would be prepared to serve as positive contributing members of society. Those sacrifices and values have stayed with me and deeply influenced my desire to enter the public service.
I received my first introduction to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as a young girl, back when it was the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW) and I would visit my mother’s office in the HEW complex. Decades later, I walked through those same doors as the first Deputy Assistant Secretary for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, and Chief Diversity Officer (CDO) for the Department of HHS. Life has come full circle for me.
Today, I have the most rewarding job in the world. I create opportunities for members of underserved and overlooked communities with exceptional potential. Just like my parents did for me, I am responsible for ensuring that Americans inside and out of HHS are setup for success and instilled with the values my family taught me: hard work, dedication, and a passion for public service.
The effective impact of my work is due largely to the emphasis HHS has placed on diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) for many years. HHS does more than support DEIA, it has ingrained DEIA principles into its very culture. From the introduction of Executive Order 14035 and creation of the DEIA Strategic Plan in 2022 to the establishment of the Fiscal Year 2024 and 2025 Operations Plan and Roadmap last year, we have developed a strong foundation to ensure that we remain aligned and focused on embedding DEIA intentionally and systematically across HHS.
I am dedicated to caring for the most vulnerable populations in the United States of America and making a difference in the lives of as many people as possible. That promise starts inside HHS. As a top five Best Place to Work for 8 (eight) consecutive years, we at HHS understand the importance of DEIA in creating a valuable and sought after workplace. My responsibility as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, and CDO is to lead DEIA efforts across HHS, from engaging leadership and attracting and retaining talent, to creating a culture where everyone feels they belong. I take that charge personally, and we have already made significant progress.
Last year, we established a strategy that focuses on developing partnerships with students and faculty via a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Minority Serving Institutions and Organizations. As of May 2024, we have signed 4 (four) MOUs and have 6 (six) more scheduled for the reminder of FY2024. I feel very proud of this achievement because it lays the groundwork for reigniting excitement for public service in the next generation.
HHS has also experienced a 16.1% (sixteen- point one percent) increase in employees of color at the SES GS pay level from FY2022 to FY2023. Peer-to-peer mentorship programs have been established to reach underserved and underrepresented employees and our leadership-driven cultural reform strategy gives leaders the tools and resources to share their DEIA story and speak to the importance of DEIA-related change across the Department.
HHS has made great strides forward, but our journey is far from over. We stand at the threshold of transformative change that starts at the top. My fellow leaders and I are the torchbearers, illuminating the path by tearing down obstacles and seizing every chance for growth. As we forge ahead, our commitment to DEIA remains unwavering, with every leader held to the highest standard of progress and purpose.
"As we forge ahead, our commitment to DEIA remains unwavering, with every leader held to the highest standard of progress and purpose. It is a collective endeavor, where each HHS employee embraces their pivotal role in nurturing an environment where everyone feels valued and included."
It is a collective endeavor, where each HHS employee embraces their pivotal role in nurturing an environment where everyone feels valued and included. Together, with deliberate action, we will enrich our programs and services, ensuring fairness and equity are at the heart of all we do.
DEIA is not just a concept but the very essence of our identity at HHS, woven into the very core of our present and future.
Karen T. Comfort
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion & Chief Diversity Officer Equal Employment Opportunity, Diversity & Inclusion Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Continuing our DEIA journey
The DEIA journey is a continuous process of learning and improvement. Committing to DEIA is not just the right thing to do—it is the smart thing to do. It makes HHS a stronger federal agency, a more effective leader and partner in advancing the health of the nation, and an attractive home for the nation’s best and brightest talent.
Leadership change stories will evolve as we collaborate across HHS and make shared progress. We will move forward with a focus on continuous improvement and addressing existing and emerging leadership needs.
For questions, resources, or additional information, please email DEIAStrategicPlan@hhs.gov.
