With an aging U.S. population and healthcare workforce, many hospital and health system leaders are focused on building the next generation of leaders to tackle the work ahead.
Healthcare executives from across the country recently shared with Becker’s how their systems are developing leadership pipelines.
Crystal Beckford, BSN, chief nursing officer at Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center in Lanham, Md., said it is important to develop leaders at every stage. Annapolis, Md.-based Luminis Health supports talent development across three main pathways: current leaders, high-potential leaders and aspiring leaders. In creating pipelines for younger workers, understanding their values is essential, she said.
“Feedback is very important to Gen Z employees,” Ms. Beckford told Becker’s in April. “They’re interested in personalized coaching and mentoring, and they want to be a part of the solution and have an expectation around communication and frequent, actionable feedback.”
Laura Dannels, PhD, chief talent officer at Marietta, Ga.-based Wellstar Health System, supports leaders at all levels with Wellstar’s one-on-one coaching program that tailors development to individual needs.
“Traditional executive coaching programs tend to only be available for senior leaders or executives,” Dr. Dannels told Becker’s in March. “This democratizes coaching, bringing it to the front-line leader level, in some cases even team members.”
Roxanna Gapstur, PhD, RN, president and CEO of York, Pa.-based WellSpan Health, said the system has committed $10 million to career pathways, tuition benefits and other career-building programs. WellSpan Health also launched the Bob Batory Leadership Academy, which provides formal training to emerging leaders.
“Leadership development and team member engagement are crucial to WellSpan’s workforce strategy,” Dr. Gapstur told Becker’s in April. “I am deeply committed to empowering our teams and fostering a supportive environment.”
Jason Gilbert, PhD, RN, chief nurse executive at Indianapolis-based Indiana University Health, said Generation Z has a strong interest in early career development. To address this, IU Health, with Chief Human Resources Officer Adrienne Sims, PsyD, is bringing career architecture to front-line roles, starting with nursing, food and nutrition, and environmental services. The career pathways initiative will allow early-career employees to explore advancement in leadership development or clinical specialization.
“Gen Z is actively seeking development, and if you do not provide them that opportunity, they are going to look for someone who is,” Dr. Gilbert told Becker’s in April.
Chris Van Gorder, president and CEO of San Diego-based Scripps Health, said the system’s Center for Learning and Innovation focuses on building skills and confidence in new graduates, and providing upskilling opportunities for nurses and staff looking to grow into new roles.”The more we invest in our people, the more likely they are to stay with us,” Mr. Van Gorder told Becker’s in April. “That’s proven to be really successful.”