Our Commitment to All IBD Patients
Dear Constituents,
At the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, we put everything into reaching our mission - curing IBD and improving the quality of life of everyone affected by these diseases. Successfully doing so is contingent upon expanding our reach to engage ALL people within the IBD community. As an employer, the Foundation strives to ensure that our staff is deeply informed about the varied experiences of those we serve as well as their colleagues. This intentionality enables us to thoughtfully, authentically, and effectively serve the IBD community while operating as a highly impactful and collaborative Foundation team.
The Importance of Reaching the Broader Community
The IBD community is diverse – comprised of people living throughout the country with various backgrounds, beliefs, upbringings, and lived experiences – and what works for one may not work for all. The more diverse the group is with which we engage, the more impactful the resources we build and the offerings we provide will be for the broader community. Without continually working to grow our reach into new communities, we risk never fully achieving our mission.
Furthermore, we specifically consider underserved populations within the IBD community that are impacted by health inequities, as evidence shows they are more likely to have less support, remain undiagnosed for longer, and experience worse outcomes. Our commitment to reaching all IBD patients and their caregivers includes finding ways to provide tailored resources and support to help offset such inequities and meet every patient where they are on their disease journey.
Our Strategic Alignment
The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation has successfully prioritized the aforementioned efforts in alignment with and support from our Senior Leadership Team, Board of Trustees, and other key volunteers. This inclusive approach is reflected in our Core Values and brought to life within our overarching Strategic Plan, which guides the work at the Foundation. We recognize that all these efforts are part of an ongoing journey, and more work is needed to enhance, expand, and evolve our commitment. Learn more about how this is put into action through our dedicated Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion webpage.
Sincerely,
Michael Osso, President and CEO of Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation
Annette Martinez, Chair of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees
