Providence signs the Impact Workforce Commitment (IWC) to advance economic and racial equity through their hiring and workforce development
RENTON, Wash., May 10, 2023— Providence, a not-for-profit health system serving the Western U.S., is joining forces with 16 other health care systems across the country in the Impact Workforce Commitment, a bold promise to build healthy and equitable local economies through their hiring and workforce development programs. Providence’s commitment, designed in partnership with a leadership group of Healthcare Anchor Network (HAN) member health systems and the National Fund for Workforce Solutions, will align its hiring and workforce power with clinical and community efforts to provide opportunities for individuals who may have faced barriers to employment due to factors such as low income, lack of access to education and training, or other socio-economic challenges.
“At Providence, we recognize long-standing inequities and systemic injustice led to health and economic disparities among communities that have been historically marginalized. Investing in workforce strategies that support the needs and growth of our diverse workforce is a business imperative and central to our core values of justice and dignity,” said Providence President and CEO Rod Hochman, M.D. “Our commitment to the Health Anchor Network’s Impact Workforce Commitment will bolster our ongoing efforts to build a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and advance our progress towards creating equity for our caregivers, their families and the generations behind them.”
The aim is to improve societal health and well-being by creating economic opportunity and addressing racial inequities in the communities served by health systems. The key provisions of the commitment include increasing hiring from economically disadvantaged geographies, investing in workforce development and career pathway programs, advocating for workforce development policies at state and federal levels, and supporting employees to achieve financial stability and build wealth. In addition, Providence will collect and submit data on our progress toward these goals to the Healthcare Anchor Network to ensure accountability and transparency.
“HAN supports access to family-supporting employment to foster economic security, improved health and well-being, and stable, thriving communities,” stated David Zuckerman, President, Healthcare Anchor Network. “The commitment by the 17 health systems represents a significant step towards promoting equity and opportunity in the healthcare sector. By providing stable jobs, benefits, and career ladders for lower-income individuals, these health systems are not only making a positive impact on the lives of their employees but also the communities they serve,” added Zuckerman.
Key provisions of the commitment include hiring at least 10% of new employees from economically disadvantaged areas who do not have a bachelor's degree by 2027. This will be achieved through partnerships with community organizations and education providers. The signatories will also promote employees from lower-skilled jobs into higher-skilled, higher-wage roles through investments in workforce development. A financial support program will be established to ensure employee financial stability and equity in benefits utilization, along with strategies to achieve long-term financial stability. Additionally, they will work towards fair and equitable leadership development and advancement at all levels through training and development, reflective of communities.
The health systems adopting the Impact Workforce Commitment include Advocate Aurora Health, Baystate Health, Bon Secours Mercy Health, Cleveland Clinic, CommonSpirit Health, CHRISTUS Health, Dartmouth Health, Froedtert Health, Hawaii Pacific Health, Intermountain Health, Fairview Health Services, Providence, Rush University System for Health, The MetroHealth System, University of Utah Health, University Hospitals in Cleveland, and UCSF.