Seattle Children’s Assessment Committee Work is Underway

“The Assessment Committee, working with the law firm Covington & Burling LLP, has begun its work and will continue to meet regularly throughout the course of Covington’s review.

The Assessment Committee has been authorized by the Board of Trustees to assess both the issues raised by Dr. Danielson, as well as Seattle Children’s systems, policies, and practices, and to make recommendations to address any issues of racism or racial inequity.

Working with the Assessment Committee, Covington will produce findings and recommendations and present them to the Board of Trustees, which will provide a report to the public at the end of the process.

The Seattle Children’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), under the direction and oversight of the Board of Trustees, will be responsible for implementing the recommendations.

To promote an environment most conducive to full and frank sharing of information by members of Seattle Children’s workforce, its patients and families, and the broader community, information communicated to the Assessment Committee will be kept confidential.

In order to facilitate this information sharing, Covington is providing the methods of contact listed below so that anyone who has relevant information to share may do so confidentially and directly with the Covington team:

The Assessment Committee encourages current and former members of Seattle Children’s workforce, patients, former patients, family members, and others from the community to share any information they believe will be relevant to Covington’s work. Covington will review all emails and information received as a part of their independent assessment. Seattle Children’s will allow any present or former member of its workforce who is subject to a non-disparagement or confidentiality agreement to provide any information to Covington, or to be interviewed by Covington confidentially and without restriction, if they choose to do so. Covington is able to conduct interviews in multiple languages and to review and analyze information provided in multiple languages.

The Assessment Committee intends for Covington to engage broadly, to understand the nuanced experiences of communities that Seattle Children’s serves, and to take an intentionally inclusive and holistic approach to ensure that all voices are heard, particularly those from historically marginalized and vulnerable populations.”

Additional Background:

The Assessment Committee was created by the Seattle Children’s Board of Trustees to review issues of systemic racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion at Seattle Children’s, including the issues raised by Dr. Ben Danielson. After conducting a competitive process, the Assessment Committee chose Covington & Burling LLP, led by former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, to lead an independent review of Seattle Children’s and produce actionable recommendations.