SEATTLE (AP) - Seattle Children’s hospital is bringing in a big name to review its policies and practices surrounding institutional racism, equity and inclusion: former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder.
The Seattle Times reports that the appointment follows the November resignation of Dr. Ben Danielson, a well-liked pediatrician who cited institutional racism in his departure. Many local leaders and residents called on the hospital to engage in an external investigation.
Holder, a partner at Washington, D.C.-based law firm Covington & Burling, will assess Danielson’s claims and make recommendations to Seattle Children’s. The hospital said the idea is to “accelerate the pace of our existing work to become a truly anti-racist organization.”
Danielson’s concerns included a lack of translation services and a practice of calling security against patients of color. He also contended that staff were afraid of retaliation if they spoke out.
Danielson now works in the pediatrics department at the University of Washington School of Medicine.
Holder recently led an investigation into Tyson Foods after a group of managers at an Iowa pork plant were accused of betting on how many workers would contract COVID-19. Holder found sufficient evidence to terminate those involved.
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