Marcy Reyes, director of individual market, and chair of Latin@Link Employee Business Resource Group, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island

This blog post is the second in a series highlighting BCBSRI’s employee business resource groups, also known as EBRGs, which are employee networks structured around non-majority dimensions of diversity. Dimensions of diversity are traits that impact a person at home, work and in society. Examples include gender, race and ethnicity, sexual orientation, age or physical ability. While EBRGs are usually composed of employees with a shared dimension of diversity, all interested employees are welcome to participate. BCBSRI recognizes the importance of EBRGs and their place within the organization. We currently have six active EBRGs: Emerging Blue Talent, Latin@Link, Blue pRIde, Military Services EBRG, Parents@Work, and Black Council @ Blue.

Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI) is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace, and during the month of April, we emphasize the importance of working toward better health equity with National Minority Health Month. Rhode Island is home to approximately one million people, 14% of whom identify as a part of the Hispanic community, making this group the largest minority population in the state. As documented by the Rhode Island Department of Health, there are large socioeconomic and health disparities affecting this population. Our EBRG, Latin@Link, works to encourage and incubate ideas, talent and contributions from Latinos and their allies with a goal of identifying and better supporting the health needs of the Rhode Island community, especially underserved populations.

Founded in 2015, Latin@Link encourages members and allies of the Hispanic community in cultivating strong relationships and identifying potential for collaboration inside and outside the company. The group also strives to recognize significant gaps in representation by addressing cultural disparities in demographics and creating a place for open discussion.

During the council’s bi-monthly meetings, our leadership team discusses strategic initiatives to uphold each of BCBSRI’s core values of collaboration, accountability, respect and integrity by providing an open environment. One of Latin@Link’s recent accomplishments was the Internship Roadshow - a Q&A panel discussion to engage current Rhode Island College students and introduce them to different career opportunities in the healthcare industry. The panel emphasized the impact of diversity in the workforce: a culture that drives success.

Latin@Link has also identified and prioritized action on issues that disproportionately affect the Hispanic community when it comes to accessing healthcare, especially for those who speak English as their second language (ESL). In June of 2017, BCBSRI launched a website translation project to give Spanish-speaking members the ability to receive benefit quotes, plan recommendations and complete online enrollment all in their own language. Latin@Link was critical to the project as our members developed a glossary of commonly used healthcare terminology and their respective translations, along with thorough review of finalized content.

In 2019 Latin@Link continues the important work of providing resources to our members with an expanded focus on educational healthcare programming. In partnership with BCBSRI’s community relations team, Latin@Link is developing a high quality curriculum that will be delivered state wide, featuring content from BCBSRI’s Healthcare Basics 101 and Unboxing Healthcare video series. Through this initiative, Latin@Link hopes to demystify the complexity of healthcare; providing participants with the information they need to select a plan that best meets their personalized needs.   

As we reflect on National Minority Health Month, we take this opportunity to thank Latin@Link for their passion in empowering BCBSRI employees to address minority issues and for their commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive environment within the company that is reflective of the greater Rhode Island community.