By Sam Khichi, EVP, Corporate Development, Public Policy, Regulatory Affairs and General Counsel, and Dr. Bill Sigmund, EVP and Chief Medical Officer. Sam and Bill are also executive sponsors of BD’s Limitless Associate Resource Group.

At BD, we recognize that achieving our Purpose of advancing the world of health™ is integrally linked to creating an inclusive workplace that represents the diversity within the communities we serve, and providing associates with varied perspectives and abilities the support, resources, and access to equitable opportunities to achieve their aspirations and thrive.

We are honored that our ongoing efforts and demonstrated progress in improving accessibility and inclusivity earned BD a 100% score on the 2022 Disability Equality Index – up from 90% - and resulted in BD being named a Best Place to Work for the fourth consecutive year. The DEI is known as the world’s most comprehensive benchmarking tool to measure disability workplace inclusion.

Our commitment and collective efforts to create a culture of belonging and equity for associates with diverse abilities is integrated throughout all levels of the organization and exemplified by our Chairman, CEO and President Tom Polen signing the Disability:IN Letter on Disability Inclusion. Our impact is further broadened within our organization and throughout the communities we serve by BD’s Limitless Associate Resource Group.

Limitless helps foster an environment of inclusion that drives innovative thinking while eliminating obstacles and implementing inclusive workplace measures and resources. Limitless members were instrumental in elevating and expanding our digital accessibility resources and standards to eliminate barriers and empower associates. Limitless members also spearheaded our collaboration with Alpine Learning Group to launch our first summer internship program for those with diverse abilities.

“At first, I was nervous to start this new job because I never worked in I.T., but I got a little help from my mentor on setting up meetings.” said one BD/Alpine summer intern. “I am excited to work with people all over the globe.”

As Executive Sponsors of Limitless, we are dedicated to advocating for and championing those with diverse abilities within our organization, throughout our communities and for the patients BD serves. Sam specifically adds: “As a father to a son diagnosed with autism, I am personally impacted by these efforts. It is my mission to create awareness and acceptance around neurodiversity in the workplace and open doors for those with autism or any other disability to have equal access to opportunities and career advancement so they can reach their highest potential. The acknowledgement we’ve received from Disability:IN and other external benchmarking organizations is a testament to the progress we’ve made and our steadfast pursuit of improving accessibility and belonging.”

In addition to earning a Best Place to Work designation from Disability:IN, this year, BD has also been named a Forbes’ Best Employer for Diversity, Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality, Noteworthy Company by DiversityInc and included in Bloomberg’s Gender-Equality Index.

Learn more about BD’s Inclusion, Diversity and Equity efforts and how our commitment to disability inclusion aligns with our environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategy to achieve our 2030+ goals for promoting a healthy workforce and communities.

Pictured: BD/Alpine summer intern with Anne Zimmerman, Manager, IT Executive Support