The Institute names Theresa Goldsborough as Anti-Racism and Anti-Discrimination Ombudsperson

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Sophia Guida

The Institute names Theresa Goldsborough as Anti-Racism and Anti-Discrimination Ombudsperson

March 29, 2024

In support of the Institute’s efforts to address racism and its impact on the health and well-being of our patients, staff and the communities we serve, the Institute is pleased to announce that Theresa Goldsborough, LCSW-R, will serve as the Institute’s first Anti-Racism and Anti-Discrimination Ombudsperson. The Ombudsperson is a new role created to serve as a resource to the Institute’s staff to advance anti-racist practices in the organization, address questions and concerns related to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB), and mediate disputes involving discrimination issues from an independent viewpoint. The Ombudsperson will collaborate with the Human Resources department to review any reported complaints or concerns, and will work to ensure that they are reviewed and resolved in a fair and timely manner that meets the Institute’s standards for Anti-Racism and Anti-Discrimination. There is a direct email address where employees can report experiences of discrimination, and hotlines that can be used for anonymous reporting.

Ms. Goldsborough joined the Institute for Family Health in 2016 as the program director of the Ryan White Mental Health grant. She is currently the Clinical Director of the COMPASS program. She has extensive experience in social work and behavioral health, having previously served as Vice President of ADHC Clinical Services and Mental Health Services at Housing Works and as Executive Director of the Keith D. Cylar Community Health Center. While at the Institute, she has led an effort to train all patient-facing staff in trauma-informed care. She is also an original member of the Institute’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) Committee.

In her role as Ombudsperson, Ms. Goldsborough will be supported by Charmaine Ruddock, Director of Bronx Health REACH, and the Ombudsperson Supervising Committee consisting of Ms. Ruddock, Associate Director of Behavioral Health Rebekah Fergusson, Chief Human Resources Officer Nicole Nurse, Manager of Professional Appointment and Credentialing Tammy Green, and consultant and former Senior Vice President for Administration Edward Fried. Ms. Goldsborough will work closely with the Institute’s DEIB Committee and report regularly to the Anti-Racism Strategic Planning Group (SPG).