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Early leaders in equity and inclusion

Explore Kaiser Permanente’s commitment to equitable, culturally responsive care from our heritage and today.

History of nondiscrimination

Our principles of diversity and our inclusive care began during World War II when our racially integrated hospitals delivered care to all Kaiser shipyard workers.

Learn how inclusion became core to our mission

Eugene Hickman, MD

Dr. Hickman had a long career at Kaiser Permanente, becoming president of the hospital staff and later chief of radiology.

Read about this Black physician pioneer

More about our equity and inclusion leaders

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Mary Carroll accepts the Merit flag from Rear Admiral Howard L. Vickery on July 19, 1942.
May 2, 2023
Women lead an industrial revolution at the Kaiser Shipyards
Early women workers at the Kaiser shipyards diversified home front World …
Eastine Cowner removing coatings and corrosion from Liberty ship SS George Washington Carver at the Kaiser Richmond shipyard in 1943.
April 25, 2023
Hannah Peters, MD, provides essential care to ‘Rosies’
When thousands of women industrial workers, often called “Rosies,” joined …
Woman seated behind desk with 4 men standing in front
August 25, 2021
Kaiser Permanente’s history of nondiscrimination
Our principles of diversity and our inclusive care began during World War …
Black and white photograph of a man in the Kaiser Richmond shipyard wearing a hard hat and goggles on his head
July 22, 2021
A long history of equity for workers with disabilities
In Henry J. Kaiser’s shipyards, workers were judged by their abilities, …
1942 newspaper clipping with image of Kaiser shipyard worker hires from New York en route to Portland.
June 2, 2021
Path to employment: Black workers in Kaiser shipyards
Kaiser Permanente, Henry J. Kaiser’s sole remaining institutional legacy, …
Kaiser Permanente Richmond Medical Center circa 1943.
February 22, 2021
The Permanente Richmond Field Hospital
Forlorn and all but forgotten, it played a proud role during the World …
Medical specialist handling oxygen therapy equipment
November 8, 2019
Swords into stethoscopes — veterans in health professions
Kaiser Permanente has actively hired veterans in all capacities since World …
Photo of a group of men seated and standing at a long table
August 28, 2019
When labor and management work side by side
From war-era labor-management committees to today’s unit-based teams, cooperat …
2013 San Francisco Pride march, with Jim Best (foreground) and Gregory A. Adams (Executive Vice President and Group President, on float); photo by Ces Rosales
June 5, 2019
Breaking LGBT barriers for Kaiser Permanente employees
“We managed to ultimately break through that barrier.” — Kaiser Permanente …
Historical image of a female welder at work during World War II.
March 29, 2019
Equal pay for equal work
Kaiser shipyards in Oregon hired the first 2 female welders at equal pay …
Dr. Sidney Garfield at Contractors General Hospital, 1935
March 26, 2018
5 physicians who made a difference
Meet 5 outstanding doctors who advanced the practice of medical care with …
1944 picture of Gladys Theus, welder in Kaiser Richmond shipyard in her welding gear.
March 8, 2018
Slacks, not slackers — women’s role in winning World War II
Women who worked in the Kaiser shipyards helped lay the groundwork for …
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