Healthcare Distribution Industry DEI Vision and Approach
A focus on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) within the pharmaceutical distribution sector is essential to ensuring the health and vitality of the communities we serve.
Thus, HDA and our members have committed to a vision to develop, collaborate and share DEI best practices to enhance our member organizations and, ultimately, to strengthen the industry’s ability to deliver safe, affordable and efficient healthcare.
Acting on this vision, HDA, in partnership with Ivy Planning Group, conducted a member-focused, industry-wide assessment of DEI within the sector. The findings informed a DEI strategic plan, created with oversight from a board-level committee chaired by Greg Drew, President, Value Drug Company.
With support from member company volunteers, HDA developed various resources and tools in alignment with the strategic plan, including a distribution sector statement of commitment, industry-wide employee resource groups (ERGs), the "We Are Health Delivered" initiative, a behavioral framework resource guide and a supplier diversity commitment.
A Message from HDA's President and CEO
"HDA's work to advance diversity, equity and inclusion in the healthcare distribution industry recognizes the unique perspectives and skills that ultimately ensure that medicines, vaccines and healthcare products are delivered safely, reliably and efficiently — no matter the circumstances. Working alongside HDA’s 37 distributor member companies, we are committed to further advancing our industry towards a diverse, inclusive and equitable future. Joining our voices, we are Health Delivered. I encourage all HDA individual members to get involved in our critical efforts."
Chester “Chip” Davis, Jr.
Our Industry Commitment
"We Are Health Delivered" Initiative
The "We Are Health Delivered" communications initiative was developed to actively showcase the diverse perspectives, skills and people who make the healthcare supply chain work. This campaign aligns with HDA’s tagline, Health Delivered.
As highlighted in HDA’s latest national advertisement, the industry’s collective strength comes from bringing diverse backgrounds, perspectives and communities together. We encourage members to use the hashtag #WeAreHealthDelivered when sharing information related to their company’s recruiting and cultural initiatives that exemplify their commitment to DEI.
HDA Career Center
HDA’s Career Center offers an easy-to-use platform to connect with a diverse pool of candidates. Through partnerships with prominent supply chain management, pharmacy, IT, business and other related educational programs, as well as historically black colleges and universities and Hispanic-serving institutions, HDA is attracting the next generation of candidates passionate about ensuring access to lifesaving medicines.
Connect with Peers: Industry-Wide ERGs
HDA launched new industry-wide employee resource groups (ERGs) for all member organizations. The goals of these ERGs include creating a safe space for people who share a common identity and their allies, providing professional development and growth opportunities and developing projects that bring about positive enhancements to our industry's business and culture. Based on feedback from a member survey, HDA established four ERGs: Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, Asian American and Pacific Islander, and Women. All members are welcomed and encouraged to participate.
SIGN UP FOR AN ERG(OPENS IN A NEW WINDOW) LEARN MORE ABOUT ERGS
Behavioral Framework and Resource Guide
 | The DEI Behavioral Framework and accompanying Resource Guide are tools to assist HDA member companies with putting their commitment to DEI into action. They were designed to complement an organization’s values and be incorporated into existing human capital approaches and can be applied flexibly to each company’s unique environment. Access Guide |
Supplier Diversity Commitment
HDA’s distributor members are committed to advancing the healthcare supply chain by increasing supplier diversity. Strengthening our supply chain with diverse partners will improve equity, increase community engagement across the markets we serve and solidify our impact.
We endeavor to expand and strengthen existing supplier diversity programs by identifying, developing and growing mutually beneficial partnerships with certified small businesses, and those that are at least 51 percent owned, operated and controlled by minority, women, disadvantaged/disabled, veteran and LGBTQ+ persons. HDA will support our members in meeting marketplace opportunities and expectations by establishing supplier diversity resources and forums, and we will recognize our members for sharing in these efforts to maintain a diverse, equitable and inclusive supply chain.
Explore DEI Resources
Exclusively for HDA members, access a variety of resources designed in collaboration with member company volunteers to promote the industry's commitment to DEI within your workplace.
Access ResourcesHDA Member DEI Initiatives
Many of HDA's 37 members have existing, internal DEI programs for their organizations to further promote DEI within their company’s culture. A number of these companies had representatives lend perspectives during the development of the above resources, informed by their internal programs.
- Fostering Inclusion: A Spotlight on HDA’s Women’s Employee Network
- Fostering Inclusion: A Spotlight on HDA’s Black and African American Employee Network
- Celebrate Diversity Month: Promoting DEI in Healthcare Distribution
- Breaking Barriers: Healthcare Distributors Celebrate Women's History Month
- Honoring Black History: February and Year-Round
- HDA Dialogue Explores DE&I Efforts In the Distribution Sector
- A Dialogue on Healthcare Equity and the “Road Back from COVID-19”