Brigham and Women's and other large Boston hospitals "are taking steps to address the problem" of low minority representation in their facilities, the Boston Globe reports. According to the Globe, at Boston hospitals, minorities have many of the lowest-paying, least-skilled jobs and "are poorly represented in the higher-paying ranks of registered nurses, surgical support staff and lab technicians -- jobs that require more training." Minorities represent 95% of housekeeping staff and 80% of food service workers in Boston hospitals. Conversely, minorities represent only 10% of registered nurses in Boston hospitals, with the exception of Boston Medical Center, in which they account for 22%. According to the Globe, "Some of the historic reasons for the disparities include inadequate attempts by the hospitals to find young workers in minority neighborhoods, a lack of educational opportunities and inflexible work schedules that make it difficult for [some people] to attend school at the same time." In an effort to change this pattern, Brigham and Women's is attempting to raise the number of minority employees in nursing and technician positions from 5% to 15% over the next few years, according to Gary Gottlieb, the leader of a citywide task force aimed at improving minority representation in the health care industry. The hospital also plans to provide tuition, flexible work hours and full pay to minority employees while they attend classes, and plans to pair minority employees with mentors to help them manage their careers. Brigham and Women's and Massachusetts General Hospital also have established programs in Boston high schools promoting health care careers. In addition, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Mass Bay Community College plan to collaborate this year to train eight minority surgical technicians and eight nurses (Rowland, Boston Globe, 8/5).