Children’s Hospital Colorado Team Member Honored as Leader in Diversity by Denver Business Journal

The Denver Business Journal recently honored Robert Franklin II, Director of Diversity, Health Equity and Inclusion (DHE&I), as a leader in diversity. The Denver Business Journal created the Leaders in Diversity Awards to honor those in Colorado’s business community who embrace and advance equity.

Robert Franklin II has twice been recognized by the Denver Business Journal for his work at Children’s Hospital Colorado: as a member of the 40 Under 40 class of 2021 and this summer as one of Denver’s Leaders in Diversity.

Becoming a trusted leader in diversity, health equity and inclusion 

When Robert joined the Children’s Colorado team in 2018, he quickly became a visible and trusted member of the organization. His work championing DHE&I and building trust throughout Children’s Colorado made him the natural choice for director of our DHE&I Department when it launched in 2021. Today, thanks to Robert’s leadership and perseverance, DHE&I is integrated into the fabric of the Children’s Colorado organization.

Developing innovative DHE&I programs

Robert has helped create innovative, nationally recognized DHE&I programs for addressing inequity toward diverse populations.

Studies show Black women are three times more likely than white women to die due to a pregnancy-related cause, and Black infants are more than twice as likely to die compared to white infants. Robert helped design and launch the Community-Focused Health Initiative to identify and eliminate structural racism within the Children’s Colorado organization, thereby improving health outcomes for Black families, with a focus on Black mothers and children.

Robert also established another nationally recognized program, the Captains of Inclusion Development Program, to identify, train and support more than 150 individuals who serve as champions for diversity, equity and inclusion across the Children’s Colorado system of care. The program’s eighth cohort recently graduated, and each participant has completed a capstone project that improves the system of care and the experience of all patients, family, team and community members.

Robert adeptly shares his expertise with different audiences across many platforms. Not only is he speaking with and presenting to healthcare colleagues, but he is also sharing best practices and lessons learned with patients, community members and the public through opportunities like the Children’s Colorado Charting Pediatrics podcast.