Jersey City Medical Center (JCMC) has named Adrienne Austin as director of diversity and inclusion. The Medical Center is part of RWJBarnabas Health, a network of independent healthcare providers in New Jersey.
Austin has spent years working on diversity and inclusion programs in public education in New York City, and she will continue advancing health equity initiatives at JCMC.
“I am delighted to welcome Adrienne to the JCMC family,” said Michael Prilutsky, president and Chief Executive Officer of Jersey City Medical Center. “In her work with the New York City Department of Education, Adrienne created several opportunities to implement programs in the diversity, equity, and inclusion arena, and I am confident she will advance our diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives at Jersey City Medical Center to the benefit of our team and the communities we serve.”
Before joining JCMC, Austin served in various roles at the New York City Department of Education, most recently as deputy chancellor and as Chief Operating Officer in the Division of Community Empowerment, Partnerships and Communications; and Chief of Staff to the Office of General Counsel. Austin also worked as a program associate at Vera Institute of Justice and a staff attorney at The Bronx Defenders.
As an experienced diversity and inclusion leader, Adrienne has a demonstrated track record of success and we are thrilled to have her join RWJBarnabas Health to move our efforts forward in Jersey City,” said Dr. Trina Parks, Executive Vice President and Chief Corporate Diversity and Inclusion Officer at RWJBarnabas Health.
“As leaders in health care, we are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion at its main core and Adrienne’s vast experience in implicit bias; supporting the advancement of diverse candidates; and launching ‘Parent University,’ an online hub of over 500 free courses for parents in multiple languages will be valuable in supporting our efforts to address diversity, equity and inclusion and in implementing long lasting, transformational change at JCMC” Dr. Parks stated.
Austin said she is excited to bring her diversity, equity, and inclusion expertise to the healthcare space. “I appreciate this opportunity, and I look forward to continuing to build on the diversity and inclusion work that Jersey City Medical Center has successfully initiated,” Austin said. “The diversity of the team and patients provides an opportunity to learn specific health care needs that enhance and promote wellness.”
Austin received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of California in political science and a Juris Doctor degree from New York University School of Law.
