Ep. 7: Climate, Representation, & DEI Rollbacks

Here, the focus shifts to who works inside the VA and what it feels like to receive care there. The episode looks at gaps in representation across the VA workforce and leadership, and why having more Black clinicians and leaders isn’t symbolic, t’s an equity intervention tied to survival and trust. Listeners hear how organizational climate (respect, belonging, safety) shows up directly in patient experiences: whether people stay in care, follow up on treatment, or feel safe naming discrimination. The episode also examines national rollbacks of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) structures and what happens when equity offices, dashboards, and training programs are weakened or removed. Throughout, it offers concrete, non-performative ways veterans, clinicians, and leaders can protect equity work by embedding it into quality, safety, and governance rather than treating it as an add-on.