2008 Best in Class: Workforce Diversity - nonprofit/government


MetroHealthThe MetroHealth System serves a diverse population in its provision of critical care, rehabilitation, community and senior health services. Its commitment to diversity is also reflected in its workforce. Thirty-one percent of MetroHealth’s workforce is composed of minority individuals, compared to an average of 27.1 percent for all nonprofit and government survey participants. In addition, minority individuals comprise 39.1 percent of the hospital’s new hires, 36 percent of its full-time employees, and 22 percent of its non-senior managers in 2008. Effective strategies include:  

  • To increase retention and promotion of minority employees, MetroHealth’s Employee Mentoring  program provides greater perspective and an intense development experience through pairings with senior managers.  
  • MetroHealth’s Diversity Advisory Council, chaired by the hospital’s president and CEO, is comprised of a select group of public health experts. The mission of the Council is to help MetroHealth identify best practices to increase its workforce diversity and cultural competence.   
  • MetroHealth’s Diversity Action Committee, chaired by the hospital’s director of diversity, is composed of employees who are in positions of influence and creditability and who represent diversity across The MetroHealth System. 
  • The HR-Recruitment Task Force identifies additional outreach efforts to increase the pool of minority candidates for physicians, nurses and management openings.  MetroHealth has also worked with minority search firms to identify top talent for senior management positions.  
  • MetroHealth utilizes ethnicity and organizational audits throughout the year to monitor the effectiveness of diversity activities and to target areas of under representation. Data collected includes minority hiring, promotions and terminations. Audit results are reported to the Board of Trustees and senior management.   
  • MetroHealth has enjoyed a successful partnership with INROADS, an organization dedicated to placing talented minority youth in business and industry internships, and has placed interns in the departments of finance and nursing for three years.   

  

Mark Moran"MetroHealth recognizes the importance of a diverse workforce in the delivery of the highest quality care to people of different cultures, beliefs and behaviors. We are executing our vision to be a regional and national leader in the provision  of public health and in the design of programs that strengthen a culturally diverse workforce that meets the needs of a diverse community. We recognize diversity and cultural competency as a competitive advantage and a source of success and pride."
Mark Moran, president and CEO, The MetroHealth System