The DEI Committee is the BRPT’s newest committee that’s working to foster a welcoming, inclusive community that values and respects diverse backgrounds, opinions, and experiences. Creating the DEI Committee was important to the BRPT as we represent the sleep technologist community we serve and the patient population we treat. The Committee is chaired by BRPT Board member Su Jeong Linstrom, RPSGT, RST, “whose experience volunteering on the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) DEI Committee provides the perfect leadership we needed to spearhead this initiative,” said BRPT President, Amber Allen.
The committee will conduct a survey of sleep technologists to inform what resources would support this effort. For example, the creation of tailored resource materials to augment sleep technologists’ efforts to provide respectful care to patients and families from a wide variety of backgrounds. In addition, the BRPT will explore partnering with like-minded organizations and collaborating on joint DEI initiatives.
“The BRPT celebrates our rich history, diversity, and unique experiences to make the sleep community stronger worldwide,” said committee Chair, Su Jeong Linstrom, RPSGT, RST. “The committee is in the process of exploring processes and programs that help the sleep community eliminate barriers, while creating equitable opportunities for everyone.”
This year, the BRPT offered for the first time its DEI Educational Grant program to provide financial assistance to current sleep technologists who are eligible to sit for the RPSGT exam via one of the five pathways, or a CCSH exam candidate who is eligible to sit for the exam via one of the three pathways available. The 2023 winner of this inaugural grant was LaTanya Bolden, BA, RPSGT, from Dearborn Heights, MI, who was selected out of more than 50 applications; the grant will cover the cost of one CCSH exam fee. To read more about LaTanya, go to: https://www.brpt.org/latanya-bolden-wins-brpts-inaugural-dei-educational-grant/
The grant aims to recognize a sleep technologist who is actively championing or involved with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives within their community and/or Health Care institution, influencing continual impacts to patient care.
At the BRPT’s October 2023 Board of Directors meeting, we welcomed a guest speaker from The George Washington University’s Office for Diversity, Equity and Community Engagement. The presenter conducted a workshop with the Board and Executive Office staff that demonstrated the different ways we can provide leadership, resources, and support to advance and sustain inclusive environments in our work.