Calder named St. Louis Business Journal Champion for Diversity and Inclusion Award winner

Gina Calder, president of Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital and Progress West Hospital, has been named a St. Louis Business Journal Champion for Diversity and Inclusion Award honoree.

Calder was one of 13 individuals honored by the Business Journal, which also honored nonprofit and corporate organization winners, for championing the cause of making St. Louis a more inclusive and equitable place to live and work.

Calder’s nomination for the award notes that in less than 18 months at Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital and Progress West Hospital, she has already made impressive progress toward ensuring that both hospitals are a safe and inclusive workplace for all people regardless of age, race, gender, economic status, disability or religion.

The nomination cited her leadership in partnering with local nonprofit and educational organizations to launch programs that provide training and employment to people with disabilities and those facing socioeconomic barriers. Calder also was lauded for her hiring and support of racially and gender-diverse staff and leadership as well as creation of a diversity, equity and inclusion task force for BJC’s St. Charles County hospitals. In addition, she was noted for embracing diverse religious traditions among staff, patients and guests. Beyond the immediate hospital and St. Charles County community, Calder was recognized for partnering with the Missouri Hospital Association on networking and recognition among hospital executives of color in Missouri, among other accomplishments.

The nomination noted that in Calder’s relatively short time with BJC, she has already been named to the Becker’s Hospital Review list of “75 Black Healthcare Leaders to Know in 2022.”

The Business Journal 2022 honorees represent some of the region's largest public and private companies, universities and nonprofits. Their roles range from CEOs to vice chancellors and executive directors.

The honorees' DEI work will be featured in the Business Journal’s special awards section to be published Sept. 9. A luncheon will be held that same week to celebrate the 2022 honorees.

Click here to leave a note of congratulations for Gina Calder.