Black Lives Matter: Building Authentic and Just Partnerships with the Black Community

Recent events have laid bare the impact of systemic racism in our country that began over 400 years ago. The COVID-19 pandemic; the senseless murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and others; and the resulting protests shed light on deep inequities in our laws, structures, and institutions. In the health care arena, we are called upon to examine our system of care, particularly how systemic racism is embedded in structures, policies, and practices leading to undeniable health care disparities and inequities.

Over the last 28 years, IPFCC has worked in partnership with patients, families, and health care professionals to advance progress toward a system of care that is grounded in the core concepts of patient- and family-centered care: dignity and respect, affirmative information sharing, participation in care and decision-making, and collaboration in change and improvement. We have seen the power to bring about real transformation when people with lived experience are engaged as authentic partners with health care professionals. Although we have witnessed progress, we acknowledge that there is much work remaining.

As IPFCC moves forward, we must ensure that that the priorities, needs, and concerns of the Black community are heard. It requires providing actionable steps to ensure that members of communities that have been historically marginalized are invited and supported to be co-creators in planning, implementing, and evaluating changes.

IPFCC is renewing our decades-long commitment to invite, listen deeply to shared experiences, and collaborate with individuals and communities who have been affected by systemic racism. As an organization, we commit to ensuring that we stand with—and collaborate with—the Black community.