Seattle Children’s Hospital has reportedly rebranded its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in response to President Donald Trump’s executive orders aimed at eliminating DEI-focused programs within organizations receiving federal funding.
On his first day in office, President Trump signed an executive order terminating DEI initiatives in the federal workforce and among federal contractors. To continue receiving substantial federal funding for research and grants, Seattle Children’s Hospital was required to discontinue its DEI programs.
According to a whistleblower, the hospital addressed these directives by altering the titles of DEI personnel and removing DEI references from its website, while maintaining the core functions of these programs. For instance, the hospital’s “Inclusion Groups” for minority staff members were taken off the website but continue to operate internally.
The Center for Diversity and Health Equity’s webpage now displays a “Page not Found” message. Previously, the center was dedicated to reducing health disparities and improving the lives of all patients, families, research participants, and the community.
Dr. Kurt Miceli, medical director at the healthcare nonprofit watchdog Do No Harm, criticized the hospital’s approach, stating that resources should focus on patient care rather than political priorities.
Dr. Miceli shared with Daily Signal: “It’s unfortunate to see Seattle Children’s Hospital, an institution noted for holding racially segregated diversity trainings, decide to secretly push its DEI agenda. As with all hospitals, Seattle Children’s should focus on providing the best care to patients instead of wasting resources on radical political priorities.”
The hospital’s former chief diversity officer, Alicia Tieder, has assumed the role of vice president and chief health equity officer. Additionally, while the hospital has ceased transgender surgeries for minors in compliance with the Trump administration’s directives, it continues to prescribe cross-sex hormones to children.
These developments highlight the challenges institutions face in balancing compliance with federal mandates and their commitment to DEI initiatives. As the administration enforces policies against DEI programs, organizations like Seattle Children’s Hospital must navigate these directives while striving to uphold their missions of equitable healthcare delivery.
