Sources Claim Christian Organization Prevented from Handing Out Bibles at Georgia Hospital Due to DEI Policies
The Silent Halls: Gideons’ Bibles and the DEI Debate at Phoebe Putney Health System
The devout mission of Gideons International to share comfort through scripture in hospitals nationwide has hit an obstacle in rural Georgia. Sources reveal that the organization’s efforts to distribute free Bibles have been halted by a healthcare giant due to evolving diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies.
Phoebe Putney Health System, a major provider serving over 40 counties, has cut ties with Gideons. This marks a significant change for an area deeply rooted in Christian tradition, igniting pressing questions about the complexities of inclusion in the heart of the Bible belt.
The Gideons’ Legacy
- Founded in 1899
- Distributed over 2 billion Bibles globally
- Renowned for hotel nightstand Bibles
- Approximately 1 million Bibles given to hotels annually
The Gideons’ longstanding relationship with Phoebe crumbled under the weight of the pandemic. While initial restrictions were tied to COVID-19 precautions, attempts to reestablish Bible distributions were met with resistance, citing a breach of DEI policy.
“The exclusion seems counterintuitive, Christians are being left out, not included,” says an insider with direct knowledge of the situation.
Neither Phoebe’s communications team nor its head of DEI has commented on this matter.
Leadership Shifts and the Rise of DEI
Insiders signal a change in hospital policies coinciding with the leadership of CEO Scott Steiner in 2019, who advocates for DEI throughout the system and is a member of the Georgia Diversity Council.
Steiner, in charge of steering the health system’s diversity direction, has openly commented on the lack of diversity among managerial staff and his commitment to fostering change.
“We must face discomfort head-on to dive in deeply and honestly,” he emphasized at a diversity council meeting.
Push for Diversity at Phoebe
Under the guidance of diversity officer Jennifer Williams, Phoebe has launched several initiatives:
- Establishing a diversity council
- Annual tracking of spending with diverse local suppliers
- Employee focus groups to inform action plans
- Systemwide diversity and unconscious bias training
Williams regards herself as a “bridge-builder” and heralds the “value of diversity of thought.”
The sidelining of Gideons International by Phoebe Health reflects the broader national discourse on DEI. Institutions are reevaluating priorities, amidst concerns on whether these initiatives overshadow merit and core medical training.
The situation unfolding in Georgia poses an intricate question: How do we balance the scales of diversity and tradition, inclusion and faith, especially in life’s most vulnerable spaces?
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