Michelle Wimes: 2024 Culture Catalyst Award Honoree

An agent of change: Michelle Wimes receives Culture Catalyst award
 

We’re celebrating Michelle Wimes, JD, Senior Vice President & Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer at Children’s Mercy Kansas City, for receiving one of just two 2024 Culture Catalyst awards from the Diversity & Flexibility Alliance. Michelle’s expert leadership in our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) efforts is creating positive change at Children’s Mercy and beyond. 

This award recognizes gamechangers like Michelle who, according to the Diversity & Flexibility Alliance, “have led significant efforts to transform their organizational culture and embrace innovation, inclusion, and/or flexibility.” Diversity & Flexibility Alliance President and CEO Manar Morales presented the award to Michelle and fellow recipient Sylvia James at the annual conference in Washington, D.C. on Oct. 24. 

Honoring excellence 

In her four-year tenure at CMKC, Michelle has developed systems, initiatives and policies that ensure an equitable and inclusive environment for all people. Every aspect of diversity – gender, race, sexuality, disability status, economic situation and many more – receives her attention and priority. 

However, Michelle would be the first to tell you that she does not work alone. Together with the Office of Equity and Diversity, hospital leadership, and patient and family advisory committees, Michelle has spearheaded several key initiatives, including: 

• A new DEI action plan and infrastructure. 
• Diversity workforce assessments. 
• Diversity Executive Steering Council and new Game Changers Network. 
• Comprehensive diversity education and training. 
• Supplier diversity policy and program. 
• Health equity action plan. 
• Community health equity council. 

These powerful projects have helped earn many accolades for CMKC, including selection as one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Women by Newsweek; a Top Place to Work in Healthcare by Becker’s Hospital Review; a Best Place to Work for Diversity by Newsweek; and an outstanding score on the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index. 

A never-give-up attitude 

Michelle’s persistence and dedication to DEI continue, despite the challenges she has faced. “Doing this work in this climate is not easy,” Michelle said. “There are so many challenges, and the work can often feel overwhelming. But we must remain steady and steadfast. Now, more than ever, DEI champions and gamechangers are needed to drive organizational success and sustainability.” 

President and CEO Paul Kempinski, MS, FACHE, has tremendous respect for the work Michelle and her team are doing: 

“Michelle is the epitome of a culture catalyst. She champions the equity and inclusion strategy for Children’s Mercy and advises leadership on how to use data to close gaps in cultural competency and health disparities. Even beyond our walls, reducing health disparities in the communities where our patients and families live and building an organizational culture of engagement, diversity and collaboration are crucial steps in this work as we advance our vision of creating a world of wellbeing for all children.”  

Michelle’s background in the legal field set the stage for her passionate commitment to justice and inclusion for all. “This award means the world to me,” she shared. “To be recognized by an organization who has always passionately championed innovation, flexibility and inclusion motivates me to continue this work at the highest level possible.”