Summerton Prisma employee given Martin Luther King Jr. Diversity in Action Award

Congratulations to Darion Canty, emergency preparedness coordinator, and the Midlands Department of Neuropsychiatry and Behavioral Science for winning a Prisma Health Martin Luther King Jr. Diversity in Action Award.

"Martin Luther King said, 'People derive inspiration from involvement,' and this is what Darion has done for his community - provided them something to be a part of, feel connected to," one nominator wrote. "Darion is intelligent, insightful, humble, empathetic, thorough and a great listener. He is a young man who took life's challenges and turned them into growth opportunities. He has a passion for connecting with others and providing safe spaces for healing."

Canty is a member of the Prisma Health Diversity and Inclusion Committee and serves on the Tuomey Foundation Committee. He is a member of Summerton Town Council and partnered with his church to start a mentoring program for young people.

The Neuropsychiatry and Behavioral Science team was called "a melting pot of diverse faculty, staff and trainees who carry out their mission by advocating for mental health care for all ethnic minorities, rural populations, older adults, LGBTQ+, incarcerated and other marginalized groups. They champion the inclusion mission of our health company by creating access and pushing care into rural, at-risk and underserved communities. The team is a pioneer in telepsychiatry efforts across South Carolina to address unmet mental health needs."

The team mentors under-represented high school students, encouraging them to pursue medical careers, and implemented a diversity work group to streamline recruitment efforts to ensure that future psychiatrists are representative of the populations we serve. They focus research on reducing health disparities, improving access and improving the quality and value of care for everyone.

"An example of how Dr. King's spirit is interwoven into our care is our child and adolescent unit," the nomination said. "Team members use a large mural of a watering hole surrounded by a menagerie of animals, such as rhinos, elephants, giraffes and antelope, to talk about groups, fitting in, being an outsider and feeling safe. These messages emphasize diversity, inclusion and justice."

Held annually for 16 years, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Diversity in Action Awards honor positive role models across Prisma Health who exemplify leadership to advance justice, equity, diversity and inclusion. Honorees are selected based on nominations from team members.