On March 19, at 3pm I will be speaking in Enfield, Connecticut about my work in the community to address health outcomes in Berkshire County. I was asked by my close friend Pastor Lisa McColgan to speak on my work as well as how I first started writing these dignity posts. I am happy to do this because I have come to understand the health challenges we face and that as health systems we need to partner with the community to address the challenges of poor health outcomes that our most vulnerable populations must deal with every day. It is the right thing to do.
As a DEI Officer I know the words Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion can bring out lots of emotions. I know that when my upcoming speaking engagement was put out in social media there were a few who had issues with DEI. I am not here to debate my title because it is not what matters to me. This work has opened my eyes to the challenges many communities like Berkshire County are facing when it comes to poor health outcomes. If I know that Black men have a life expectancy 10 years under the average, should we try to figure out why. If I see that we have a high rate of overdose deaths, shouldn’t we want to address that. If I knew that our aging population is experiencing isolation and loneliness which puts them at risk, shouldn’t we help them. Berkshire County has a high suicide rate and attempted suicide rate especially among teenagers. Should we ignore this or should we work to find the causes and build the solutions.
I believe and know in my heart that I am doing the right thing. With that comes challenges. I know I will be tested, and I know there will be failures. We can argue and debate the title, but we can never question the work that is being done every day by the great leaders in this community. I tell people all the time that even when we do what is right that does not mean the path will be clear. Sometimes we will have to blaze a new trail and the trail that we are creating in Berkshire County is one that sees us as tops in health outcomes and a place where you can raise a family or come to retire.
I have been blessed to be where I am. I get to work with some amazing people who make the commitment every day to help others. They are the true foundation of this work, and I am honored to work beside them.
Charles Redd RN
Dignity Freedom Fighter
Dignity Freedom Fighter 