Struggles, Strength, and Aspirations: Voices of Healthcare Workers in a Major Hospital System

Objective: Racism towards healthcare workers continues to hinder their recruitment and ability to work safely. This study explores workplace stressors faced by marginalized groups, gathers their perspectives on institutional resources, and examines how healthcare systems can combat discrimination and foster inclusion. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted within a multicenter healthcare organization. Participants were recruited through 6 of the organization’s 41 Employee Resource Groups, open to all regardless of background and including participants diverse in race and ethnicity, gender and sexual identity, veteran status, and physical ability. Focus groups were held between September 2022 and December 2023. Discussions were facilitated by trained interviewers using a semi-structured guide about experiences of racism, workplace culture, and perceptions of inclusion resources. Sessions were audio-recorded, transcribed, and de-identified. Transcripts were coded independently by two researchers using iterative thematic analysis with a shared codebook. Coding discrepancies were resolved by consensus. Results: A total of 42 healthcare workers participated in eight focus groups. A prominent theme was the prevalence of discriminatory experiences faced by participants. Several themes emerged: (1) the need for tangible institutional change alongside structured emotional support; (2) underutilization of support resources due to limited representation; (3) the central role of leadership in shaping a healthy workplace culture; and (4) the need for educational initiatives. Conclusion: Findings from this study highlight that discrimination remains a persistent challenge for healthcare workers, despite the presence of institutional inclusion initiatives. They underscore the need to establish sustained, system-level strategies that eliminate bias and artificial barriers to diverse representation.