Upcoming Webinar
NSGC 2024 J.E.D.I. Organizational Assessment: High-level Findings and Recommendations
August 21, 2024
12:00 - 1:00 pm CT
NSGC members are welcome to join this webinar presented by NSGC and The Exeter Group to learn more about the findings and recommendations from the 2024 J.E.D.I. Organizational Assessment. In March 2024 NSGC partnered with The Exeter Group, a healthcare equity firm specializing in DEI, to lead a J.E.D.I. Organizational Assessment of NSGC. This assessment included a readministration of a version of the 2020 J.E.D.I. Organizational Assessment Survey conducted by The Exeter Group, as well as 15 key stakeholder interviews. The learnings from this assessment and the comparison of results to the 2020 assessment will allow NSGC to gain a deeper understanding of our strengths and areas of opportunity as we continue our journey to build a more diverse and inclusive organization. Register here.
J.E.D.I. Action Plan
NSGC's J.E.D.I. Action Plan is a three-year plan designed to address J.E.D.I. from many perspectives across the organization. It was developed by the J.E.D.I. Action Plan Task Force and approved by the NSGC Board of Directors in June 2022. Kickoff of the Action Plan commenced in August 2022.
View NSGC J.E.D.I. Action Plan
View the NSGC J.E.D.I. Action Plan Webinar
View the J.E.D.I Action Plan Webinar Q&A Document
J.E.D.I. Action Plan Dashboard
NSGC created a dashboard to outline progress and action related to the J.E.D.I. Action Plan across six operational impact areas. The dashboard is updated quarterly.
View the J.E.D.I. Action Plan Dashboard
Frequently Asked Questions
View frequently asked questions about NSGC's J.E.D.I. initiative.
NSGC Policy on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB)
In furtherance of its vision and mission, the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) strives to integrate genetics and genomics to improve health for all. As an organization, NSGC (members and staff) works to realize this goal by promoting the active participation and leadership of people with diverse identities, perspectives, and backgrounds. Starting within NSGC and extending into the larger healthcare system, NSGC, its members and staff seek to empower NSGC members to advocate for themselves, each other, and the diverse people they serve. NSGC and its members realize that a diverse and inclusive organization does not build itself but must be created through a sustained effort by leadership, staff, and each individual member.
In furtherance of these goals and NSGC’s ongoing commitment to create and maintain an inclusive environment within the organization and in connection with its activities, NSGC has adopted the following policy on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (“DEIB Policy”)
View Full DEIB Policy
What is Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion?
Justice
Justice is achieved when there is equity of opportunities, freedom of choice, and access to information needed for decision-making. Achieving this vision requires active work to break down barriers and address inequalities rooted in differentials of power and privilege. At NSGC, we believe that we have a responsibility to strive to reach justice both for our society members and colleagues, as well as for our genetic counseling clients and research participants.
Equity
We believe that equity is ensuring that opportunities, and access to opportunities, are provided to all individuals to succeed - especially individuals that are underrepresented in our profession, and underserved in healthcare and society at large. At NSGC, this applies to both clients and colleagues. Equity is different from equality, where all groups of people receive the same number and type of resources or support, regardless of needs or circumstances.
Diversity
Diversity is understanding that each individual is unique and recognizing their personal differences, which may be visible or invisible. There are innumerable facets of diversity, including race, ethnicity, age, sex, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, disability, socioeconomic status, religion, and national origin, among others. Diversity is understanding that some differences provide privilege while others perpetuate disadvantages. At NSGC, we recognize the importance of all aspects of diversity, and we seek to create an environment and profession which is increasingly diverse and inclusive.
Inclusion
Inclusion is the way we create environments in which an individual or group can feel accepted, respected, and valued. Inclusivity strives to create a sense of belonging for all individuals, regardless of different identities. At NSGC, true inclusion requires that we recognize and address our biases and actively work to decrease barriers within our profession and for the communities we serve.