Highmark Health and AHN to Host Award-Winning Journalist Michele Ruiz for Lecture on Confronting Unconscious Bias

Thursday, May 18, 2023

Press Releases

PITTSBURGH (May 18, 2023) - Highmark Health and Allegheny Health Network (AHN) will host Michele Ruiz, award-winning broadcast journalist, entrepreneur and best-selling author, as part of its Enterprise Equitable Health Institute's (EEHI) lecture series on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). The lecture will focus on workplace bias and how to develop awareness and empathy. It will be from 9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. on June 5^th at Highmark Penn Avenue Place. The event is open to the public and free of charge to attend. Pre-registration is required.

Ruiz is best known for having been a news anchor for KNBC-TV in Los Angeles, CA. Her accolades include five Emmy Awards, two Golden Mike Awards and an LA Press Club Award.

Born in southern California to Spanish-speaking Panamanian parents, she regularly experienced racism and discrimination throughout her life. Following her career in broadcast journalism, Ruiz has used her platform to drive awareness about bias and prejudice.

Ruiz now serves as president and CEO of BiasSync, a company that helps organizations identify and eliminate workplace bias. She is also the president and CEO of Ruiz Strategies - a consulting and training firm specializing in change management, reputational management, internal communications, diversity, equity, inclusion, and unconscious bias training and assessments. Ruiz also serves as a council member for Highmark Health's EEHI's National Advisory Council.

"As we work to create a more equitable and inclusive culture across Highmark Health and AHN, and across our communities, we begin by educating ourselves. In many professions, and in health care especially, unconscious biases can have dire consequences. We are honored to have Michele Ruiz teach us more about uncovering our own biases so that we can better serve our members, patients, employees, and the community," said Margaret Larkins-Pettigrew, MD, Senior Vice President, DEI, Highmark Health and AHN.

A panel session will follow the lecture and will feature Ruiz, Dr. Larkins-Pettigrew and Larry Kleinman, Highmark Health's Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer.The EEHI at Highmark Health and AHN is dedicated to advancing a comprehensive internal and external strategy to promote a culture of equity and inclusion. Its lecture series intends to deliver thought-provoking speakers who are experts in various DEI topics.

Register to attend the event, either in person or virtually.