In the fall edition of Bridges, available soon at www.diversityconnection.org, we're pleased to provide an overview of the Institute's 2010 National Leadership and Education Conference: Changing the Culture of Health Care. The conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place in Chicago, IL, June 10-11, 2010. As it does every other year, this conference will bring together experts from the health care field and business community to examine leadership opportunities for ethnic and racial minorities in health care management and strategies for improving cultural competence.

The highlight of our 2010 conference will be the presentation of "The State of Health Care Diversity and Disparities: A Benchmarking Study of U.S. Hospitals," a survey recently undertaken by the Institute to provide a snapshot of how health care facilities are making progress on diversity-related initiatives and examine the comparative performance of urban, rural, teaching, public and private hospitals.

We look forward to sharing some of the "promising practices" that the survey identified and recognizing survey participants that have made significant headway in areas such as "Engaging Communities," "Services," "Leadership and Governance," "Strengthening Workforce," and "Delivering Quality Care."

As always, the conference also will feature plenary sessions with noted experts and engaging keynote speakers, as well as ample opportunity to make new acquaintances and learn from your colleagues around the country.

We are thrilled to be hosting what we know will be two ground-breaking days of learning, listening and celebrating diversity in health care. I encourage you to attend and demonstrate your organization's commitment to diversity, understanding and cultural competence.

I look forward to welcoming you at our 2010 National Leadership and Education Conference. Please watch your mail and our Web site, www.diversityconnection.org, in the coming months for more details.