Ken Washington Considers Education, Experience and Mentorship This Black History Month

This year’s theme for Black History Month is “African Americans and Labor.” 

“While some only observe our history once per year, I celebrate my culture and my being daily.” - Ken Washington

The month of February is especially poignant because in addition to Black History Month, it is also the month of my birth. This is a time to really dig deep down into our souls to reflect and acknowledge those who came before us and paved the way for us to take advantage of the opportunities available to us today. It is a time to celebrate our rich history and unique culture despite the challenges we faced in the past and continue to endure today. While some only observe our history once per year, I celebrate my culture and my being daily. I live it daily. I am Black History!

Clinical risk management is a unique field, which means it is very difficult to find someone who has the education and experience to fill those roles. So, as a Black man who does have education and experience in this regard, I note that not only am I the only man, but I am also the only Black man. In my professional circles and even at national risk management conferences, I have yet to meet a Black man who shares the same profession.

I cannot say that I made a conscious decision early in my career to work in clinical risk management; however, it is a culmination of several of my career interests and educational experiences. My interests in clinical care, legal, quality of care, patient safety and my analytical and investigative nature all provide me with a unique voice. I challenge the status quo, asking the sometimes-uncomfortable hard but right questions to get to what I need, all while being empathetic and supportive. I am also at the table making important decisions. I have worked very hard. My educational experiences span from licensed practical nurse to certified professional in health care quality to paralegal. I hold a bachelor’s degree in community and human services and a master’s degree in health science in clinical risk management, patient safety and health care compliance.

I never really thought of myself as a mentor until one of my former colleagues thanked me for being her mentor when she accepted a role as a Director of Clinical Risk Management. It was a good day when she told me that.

That moment would be December 2020, and it had nothing to do with my work per se. It was at this time that the first round of COVID-19 vaccines were being offered to high-risk groups and there was a call from my previous employer for nurses willing to volunteer to give vaccines in the community. If I may be transparent, I was not so inclined to help because I knew it would make for a long day after my full workday. For some reason, I could not resist the call and I did volunteer. This was at a time when thousands of people of color were dying from COVID-19. A Black woman came up to me and she whispered, “I am so glad to see you here. Otherwise I am not sure that I would go through with it.” I told her that I would not give her anything I did not believe in. What she said resonated with me, so I continued to volunteer for months just so people of color would see someone who looks like them.

To whom much is given, much will be required. I am grateful for those who saw something in me, believed in me and gave me a chance early on in my career. They just happened to be two white women.