Achievement Awards Spotlight: Allegheny Health Network Jefferson Hospital

June 30, 2023

HAP's annual Achievement Awards honor hospitals and health systems for their innovation, creativity, and commitment to patient care. The Achievement Awards showcase and share member hospitals’ and health systems’ successful programs and best practices.

This year, Allegheny Health Network Jefferson Hospital received the Optimal Operations Award for its outstanding project to increase the racial diversity of its health care workforce.

Here’s what you need to know:

• The challenge:  Across the U.S., there is a call to action to end structural racism and create equity in health care and the workplace.
• Taking action:  After extensive research—supported by a local foundation planning grant—the hospital launched its Talent Attraction Program (TAP).
  • TAP is a comprehensive allied health training program to bring employment to underrepresented populations with a focus on increasing the number of diverse employees at the hospital. The program includes a close partnership with the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC), which provides programs in 22 allied health fields.
  • Once admitted, students never see a bill, as the hospital covers all tuition associated costs, and offers additional resources for travel, access to healthy food, books, and other incidentals. The program also includes mentorship between participants and a hospital employee in the student’s field of study.
• Results:  The launch of the program was incredibly successful, with the hospital more than doubling its goal of participants in the first year.
• Next steps:  Due to the overwhelming success of the program, the health system plans to expand the program across the 10 hospital-network during 2023. It’s expected about 120 people will participate in CCAC programs and another 70 will participate through an on-the-job training program.
• Quotable:  “Year after year, we expect to add students and onboard graduates into our Network, providing a safe, diverse and inclusive work environment for employees to embrace their greatest potential,” the hospital noted in its entry.

Congratulations to Allegheny Health Network Jefferson Hospital for its commitment to promote diversity and equity in the workplace. Additional information about this effort and the other award-winning programs is available at HAP’s website.

Questions about the HAP Achievement Awards may be directed to HAP Member Services at (717) 561-5359.