LUMC Pride

For LUMC, Pride has a special meaning. It doesn’t just refer to a particular group of people - for us, Pride comprises everyone, no matter whether you are part of the rainbow community or not, regardless of where your origins lie, or how you identify yourself.

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LUMC takes Pride very seriously - we have embraced Pride as part of our long-term strategy. We recognise that the diversity of our community is part of our inherent strength, something to be cherished, cultured, and celebrated.

We also subscribe to the notion that people can only excel when they feel safe, valued and appreciated for being their true selves. Thus, we are not afraid to acknowledge that the transformation to a diverse and transectionally inclusive community is a journey, rather than a goal. We recognise that there are lessons to be learned, and changes to be made.

We tirelessly strive to be the best version of ourselves. And above all, we always bear in mind that only together, we are LUMC.

Pride is the operative word

Almost a decade ago, in 2015, a small group of LUMC employees established LUMC Pride, as a network for rainbow employees, students, and patients. The initiative was immediately embraced by the organisation , as the then chair of the board of directors, Willy Spaan, expressed in his speech during a kick-off event. With moderate means, LUMC Pride originally focussed on offering a network for the rainbow community. However, bigger ambitions soon became evident as in 2019, LUMC Pride played a pivotal role in LUMC becoming the first University Medical Centre to join Workplace Pride.

To celebrate this milestone, LUMC Pride commissioned a dedicated rainbow artwork, Leo Mare Unicornicus by Margriet van Breevoort, to express a sense of inclusivity and safety for all who enter LUMC, be it as employee or patient.

As society was held in the grip of COVID, polarisation reared its ugly head everywhere and even in our own LUMC community, it became clear that there was an urgent need for building bridges, mutual understanding, for coherence. LUMC Pride redefined itself to encompass all patients, employees, and students, regardless of orientation, provenance, culture, ability, or gender, and expressed this sentiment in its new credo: “Together - one LUMC” (Samen zijn wij LUMC)

This credo was embraced by the board of directors and was integrated into the Strategy for 2024 to 2028 - and has even inspired the entire tone of the strategic plan.

So here we are, on the cusp of a new era, where LUMC proudly states that we stand for inclusiveness in the broadest sense, and everyone should feel welcome and valued. We work towards a diverse and inclusive organisation, both for our employees and students, as well as our patients. 

We will work closely together with, and take part in the new diversity board, to change the culture, remove glass ceilings for women, minorities and work towards equality for everyone. Together with LUMC Art collection, we use art as a means to express diversity and inclusion, as well. To make implicit biases evident and open to discussion. Because only together, we are LUMC.