To build on our commitment to fostering a safe, diverse, and inclusive work environment, Vireo recently launched our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Council. This new initiative will be spearheaded by members of the Vireo team and will explore how we as a company can continue to create better opportunities for minority groups, women, and veterans at Vireo and in the cannabis industry at large. These groups are too often underrepresented in the cannabis industry and Vireo wants to contribute to the wider movement to make social equity a cornerstone of cannabis.
Later this quarter, the DEI Council will host Vireo’s first-ever company-wide town hall to discuss diversity issues, provide an open and safe forum for team members, and launch new programs and partnerships. The DEI Council will be crafted through the input and leadership of our minority employees.
One of the amazing minority leaders at Vireo is Alicia Hilliard, Director of Patient Services for Vireo Health of New York. Alicia has worked for Vireo since 2016, making her one of our longest tenured employees in New York!
We are excited to feature Alicia in this week’s Team Member Spotlight! We recently caught up with Alicia to learn more about her experiences at Vireo and her career in providing care and support to cannabis patients.
Tell us a little about yourself! Where are you from and what do you like to do for fun?
My name is Alicia Hilliard and I live in Brooklyn, New York. I am a mother of three and a grandmother of three! I enjoy spending time with my family. In my free time, I love to garden and grow everything from plants to fruits and vegetables. I love to nurture my plants and watch them grow – just like I do with my staff!
When did you start at Vireo and what is your official title?
I have been working with Vireo for four years. I was the first Patient Care Coordinator in our Queens location and, almost a year later, was promoted to being the first of four Directors of Patient Care.
How does it make you feel to help patients find relief, and what do you like about working at Vireo?
Patient care means everything to me. I have been working in healthcare for more than 10 years. I like helping my patients and seeing them smile. I like to give the patients the best experiences they can have in a health care facility. If I can manage to brighten one part of their day well then that makes me happy!
Any coworkers to ‘shout out’?
I want to give a huge shout out to our dedicated essential workers – the pharmacists and patient care coordinators – for their hard work to provide stellar patient care services during COVID while putting their own safety and health at risk.
Last, but not least, I want to give another shout out to our essential home delivery drivers for their dedication to provide top notch delivery service. Our patients depend on them during COVID and they are stepping up to the risky challenge of bringing relief to our patients. Job well done!
Anything else you would like to share?
Don’t forget to wear your mask and keep social distancing so together we can stop the spread of COVID-19!
Thank you to Alicia for participating in our team member spotlight series. If you are one of Alicia’s patients in New York, please make sure to let her know you enjoyed her interview!