Ochsner Health Recognized as an Exceptional Workplace
August 2023- The Journal of Healthcare Contracting
Healthcare industry employees have continued to face increased workplace challenges since the pandemic, as clinicians balance staff shortages, stress and burnout, and disease transmission with their daily responsibilities. To allow staff to perform confidently in the workplace, it is essential for medical industry leaders to foster a supportive workplace culture and make a commitment to employee well-being.
A positive business culture prioritizes the welfare of its employees foremost. In the constantly changing healthcare marketplace, the companies that stand out are the ones that support their employees throughout all levels of the organization and that foster trust, open communication, and support within the workplace.
Ochsner Health’s health system was recognized in 2023 for its exceptional workplace culture. Ochsner Health was awarded the Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award (GEWA) in early 2023, which recognizes the most engaged workplace cultures in the world. The award elevates organizations that are committed to developing human potential. It celebrates businesses that “put the engagement of their people at the center of their business strategy and weave that commitment into their organizational culture,” according to GEWA.
Ochsner Health delivers health services to patients throughout Louisiana, Mississippi, and the Gulf South. The not-for-profit healthcare system’s mission is to inspire healthier and stronger communities through leadership in cancer care, cardiology, neurosciences, liver and kidney transplants, pediatrics, and more.
“The medical industry has greatly changed because of the pandemic. Medical staff and providers were challenged in ways we had not seen before, including being stretched thin, resulting in staffing shortages in New Orleans and around the country. We invest not only in our employees but also in our communities,” said Tracy Schiro, executive vice president and chief human resources officer of Ochsner Health.
Nationally, only 32% of employees in the U.S. workforce are considered engaged with their business’ vision and values. In 2022, Ochsner’s employee engagement reached an all-time high and was ranked in the 86th percentile across healthcare organizations throughout the country, according to a March 2023 press release from Ochsner Health.
Organizations that are nominated for the award prioritize investing in their employees by always listening, measuring, and making decisions that ensure employee satisfaction and a unique company culture.
Engaged employees equals business results
Ochsner Health’s company culture is unique in that it prioritizes people first. Ochsner invests in its culture by providing benefits, resources, and programs to engage employees in the workplace. This engagement fuels commitment and passion for everyday work among all staff from physicians, providers, clinicians to non-clinical staff.
Ochsner Health maintains engagement throughout an individual’s career by fostering a company culture that values compassion and a patient-first environment. Employees are empowered in growth and professional development at all levels of their career through access to in-person and online education programs that encourage individualized growth.
“Our culture is one of pride, connection to purpose, collaboration and innovation resulting in the relentless pursuit of making Ochsner the leading destination for the region’s top talent and for high-quality healthcare. We value the growth, health, and wellbeing of each member of our Ochsner team,” said Schiro.
Navigating workplace challenges
Businesses inevitably run into challenges when carrying out everyday operations. In the face of workplace challenges, considering employee’s well-being first and foremost contributes to a resilient and successful operation.
“One of the biggest challenges the medical field has faced is staffing. Ochsner has an innovative approach to supporting the pipeline of healthcare workers into the organization. Ochsner increasingly invests in internal and external workforce development opportunities. As we face a shortage of caregivers, Ochsner is being intentional about how we grow our workforce. We are focused on people first and on training providers who will build careers in our communities,” said Schiro.
The pandemic has seen unpredictability within the workplace because of healthcare staffing shortages and continued disease challenges. Due to these circumstances, national healthcare systems are struggling to retain employees. Ochsner Health has experienced its return on investment in culture firsthand and has exemplified that investing in its people leads to great rewards.
Ochsner has adapted to pandemic and workplace-related challenges by ensuring that employees are committed to their work and provide high-quality healthcare. The strong company culture and commitment to exceptional healthcare has assisted in the face of national workplace challenges.
Keys to an award-winning workplace
The development of an award-winning workplace begins pre-hire, according to Schiro. Ochsner supports the pipeline of healthcare workers through its Career Outreach and Workforce Development team. The Career Outreach team mentors’ students early on in their healthcare education experience and assists them on the path to nursing, healthcare, and corporate fields. Students participate in facility tours, continuing education opportunities, and hiring events to expose them to the medical field while in school. The Workforce Development team assists high school and college aged students with growth into healthcare careers through nursing pre-apprenticeships and pipeline programs.
“Ochsner is an award-winning workplace because we intentionally invest in culture and employee experience. This is done through a comprehensive listening strategy, as well as shaping positive experiences throughout an employee’s entire journey with Ochsner, including pre-hire,” said Schiro. “Each employee, clinical and non-clinical, truly cares about our patients and the community. It is evident in everything they do and even when you simply walk into an Ochsner facility.”
Ochsner recognizes that success for an award-winning workplace relies on taking care of all members of a team from healthcare staff to executive leadership. The culture strives to create a positive experience throughout the entire career journey for all healthcare employees. Culture at the company reflects pride, connection to purpose, collaboration, and innovation, according to Schiro.
“Ochsner is proud to have a bold vision to inspire healthier lives and stronger communities,” said Schiro. “We are fueled by the talent, passion, and diversity of our employees who continue to push the limits to advance medicine to change and save lives. We won’t slow down.”