Kaiser Permanente Ranked No. 1 on the 2011 DiversityInc Top 50 Companies for Diversity® List

Award Highlights Organization’s Commitment to the Inclusion of Diverse Populations

OAKLAND, Calif. — Kaiser Permanente has been named No. 1 on the 2011 DiversityInc Top 50 Companies for Diversity® list, reaching the top spot after first debuting on the publication’s list in 2006.

“We’re particularly proud of this award in recognition of Kaiser Permanente’s longstanding effort of promoting diversity and inclusion,” said Chairman and Chief Executive Officer George Halvorson. “As an organization, we serve a very diverse population, and from our board and leadership to our frontline employees, we understand and value diversity. It’s an honor to be ranked atop some of America’s most diverse and successful companies.”

This is the 11th year DiversityInc has administered its Top 50 Companies survey. A total of 535 companies participated this year. This is the second year in a row Kaiser Permanente has earned a spot in the top five of this list; last year Kaiser Permanente was ranked No. 4.

Kaiser Permanente made it to the top spot, according to DiversityInc Chief Executive Officer Luke Visconti, because CEO Halvorson is driving business results by aligning core values, workplace diversity and community outreach. “Kaiser Permanente’s George Halvorson is a remarkable visionary who understands that his organization’s sustainability depends on delivering effective healthcare to the changing population,” Visconti said.

Kaiser Permanente also ranked:

* No. 2 in the DiversityInc Top 10 Companies for Latinos
* No. 3 in the DiversityInc Top 10 Companies for Blacks
* No. 6 in the DiversityInc Top 10 Companies for Asian Americans
* No. 4 in the DiversityInc Top 10 Companies for Recruitment & Retention
* No. 4 in the DiversityInc Top 10 Companies for Executive Women
* No. 3 in the DiversityInc Top 10 Companies for People With Disabilities


Kaiser Permanente has a longtime commitment to providing a diverse environment. Kaiser Permanente was the first health care organization to have a racially integrated hospital in the 1940s. Henry J. Kaiser, co-founder of Kaiser Permanente, stated, “[Black patients are] to be treated like everybody else. There is no segregation at our facilities.”

Today, Kaiser Permanente maintains the same commitment to diversity and equality that it began more than 60 years ago. Additionally, the organization’s commitment to racial and ethnic diversity, including the board of directors and senior management, has grown steadily over the past several years, which is why Kaiser Permanente has continued its move up the DiversityInc Top 50 list. For example:

* Kaiser Permanente has one of the most diverse boards anywhere: 21 percent black, 14.5 percent Latino, 14.5 percent Asian American and 36 percent women.
* Kaiser Permanente’s regional presidents also represent a diverse population: 25 percent are black, 25 percent are Asian American and 50 percent are women.


DiversityInc announced its Top 50 Companies for Diversity on Tuesday, March 2, at a gala in Washington, D.C. Kaiser Permanente will be featured throughout the year on www.DiversityInc.com, www.DiversityIncBestPractices.com and in DiversityInc Magazine.


About Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, our mission is to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 8.7 million members in nine states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal physicians, specialists and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the art care delivery and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education and the support of community health. For more information, go to: www.kp.org/newscenter.