BD Earns Top Score and Recognition as Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion

By Ariel Nixon, Clinical Project Manager, and Hannah Rains, Associate Director, Talent Process Excellence & Technology/Talent Management, and Limitless Associate Resource Group communications co-leads

At BD, we are committed to creating a workplace and society of unlimited and equitable opportunities for all. That commitment is realized when people with diverse perspectives and abilities are offered career paths that help them see new possibilities and reach their full potential.

One of the many ways this commitment is brought to life is through efforts led by our Limitless Associate Resource Group – one of nine offered at BD. For example, Limitless members helped strengthen the company’s collaboration with Alpine Learning Group, a New Jersey-based organization that provides individualized education for children and adults with autism to foster individual growth and personal achievement. For the second consecutive year, BD extended paid-internship opportunities for learners with autism to gain real-world work experience in roles that support the company’s customers and patients, and help BD achieve its Purpose of Advancing the World of Health™.

Our most recent cohort of Alpine interns included Richard Raffanello and Thomas McCarthy, who spent six weeks on the Medical Affairs team assembling and categorizing blood test kits.

“It was great being at BD. During my time there, I put together test kits,” Richard shared. “I appreciate the opportunity to work in a different job setting and enjoyed eating in the cafeteria after each shift.”  

Thomas added, “My experience interning at BD was awesome. I enjoyed learning about what the company does, their history, and what it is like to work there. While I was putting together test kits, it felt like I was helping the community. My job mentor, Jane, made me feel like I was a part of the team.”

The impact that these career opportunities have – further developing their professional capabilities, strengthening interpersonal skills, and the sense of pride that’s comes with being financially rewarded for their meaningful contributions – is felt by both the interns and their parents.

“I’m so grateful to BD for employing my son as an intern,” said Donna, Alpine learner parent. “It’s not often that he’s given such a robust opportunity. He had a wonderful time working there, gained new skills, and enjoyed meeting everyone. We greatly appreciate the mentorship and kindness of the BD associates!” 

We are honored that our ongoing efforts and demonstrated progress in improving accessibility, inclusivity, and career opportunities earned BD a top score on the 2023 Disability Equality Index and recognition as a Best Place to Work for the fifth consecutive year.

This recognition further establishes the company's collective and tangible actions to eliminate obstacles and provide opportunities for those with diverse abilities to build successful careers and be rewarded for their contributions.

In addition to this accolade, BD recently celebrated being named a Noteworthy Company by DiversityInc and was included on the Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index (GEI).

To learn more about the inclusion, diversity and equity systems, processes and tools that drive action and accountability at BD, visit the inclusion, diversity and equity pages on BD.com, and read the 2022 Global ID&E Report.