MEDFORD, Mass. – Network Health, a Massachusetts health plan that provides access to health care coverage to nearly 180,000 Massachusetts residents with low and moderate incomes, announced today that its vice president of human resources, Vin Pina, has been named one of Boston Business JournalÂ’s 2011 «Leaders in Diversity.» This award honors Pina for demonstrating exceptional commitment to promoting practices that advance diversity in the workplace and in business leadership.
Pina has made significant contributions to diversity during his nearly 40-year career. When Pina joined Network Health in 2005, he knew that hiring a diverse, culturally competent workforce would help the health plan better understand, represent, and serve its members.
Pina spearheaded a three-year strategic effort to diversify Network HealthÂ’s workforce in accordance with the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) employee-diversity standards. Under PinaÂ’s leadership, Network Health hired twice the number of minority employees that BLS standards propose, in only two years. Today Network Health has 370 employees, 45% of whom are minorities, and 27% of minority employees are in supervisory positions. Network Health employees speak nearly 20 languages themselves, and provide customer service in more than 170. The health plan also offers materials in 10 languages and has a Spanish-language Web site.
«Vin is responsible for cultivating Network HealthÂ’s corporate culture of awareness and understanding of diversity,» said Christina Severin, Network Health president. «VinÂ’s genuine and unwavering commitment to diversity and inclusion in the workplace has created an organizational philosophy that diversity is critical to success. He truly exemplifies what it means to be a leader in diversity.»
Pina also understands the importance of providing professional development opportunities for Network HealthÂ’s diverse workforce. Pina is the executive sponsor of Network HealthÂ’s Diversity Council, a cross-functional, volunteer group that oversees an in-office, multicultural art gallery featuring guest artist and employee artwork, and hosts fun and educational forums to promote diversity. Network Health also requires its employees to participate in Diversity Training, a full-day interactive class that teaches employees about the health planÂ’s commitment to diversity and fosters a culture of openness, respect, and growth.
Prior to Network Health, Pina was a human resources consultant for the Massachusetts AlzheimerÂ’s Association; a regional manager at Challenger, Gray and Christmas; and a divisional vice president for Polaroid Corporation. Pina earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. He also holds certifications in advanced human resources management and business efficacy.
The Boston Business JournalÂ’s 2011 «Leaders in Diversity» honorees were recognized at an event at the Westin Copley Hotel on Friday, October 21, 2011.
