COVINGTON, Louisiana – St. Tammany Health System Board of Commissioners approved a $6 million workforce strategy, called Invested in You, aimed at retaining the exceptional workforce this community health system is known for, as COVID-19 workforce impacts are affecting employers locally, regionally and nationally.
“As a board, we hear from our community all the time that St. Tammany is different from other health systems,” Board Chairman John Evans said. “When people say they feel special, like family, that comes from how they are treated in our hospital. We have to do what it takes to make sure this workforce feels supported and valued. That’s what Invested in You means.”
The Invested in You campaign will include targeted incentives and salary adjustments to keep market-sensitive job classifications competitive, particularly in relation to travel and agency offers designed to entice highly skilled and valued employees away from established employers such as STHS.
The health system leaders further committed to educational programs that will help STHS colleagues further their careers long-term and enable STHS to grow the next generation of care providers. Programs in this part of the Invested in You campaign will foster career pathways for CNAs, sterile processing, RN residents, RN to BSN programs and other educational support and assistance designed to ensure dedicated, trained STHS professionals for years to come.
“If we are true to our culture of excellence, we are Invested in You, as the campaign says,” STHS President and CEO Joan M. Coffman said. “This commitment to our most valuable assets, our colleagues, is our way of ensuring the people who make St. Tammany special, the colleagues who embody our values, remain with us long-term.”
With 2,500 colleagues, St. Tammany Health System is the city of Covington’s largest employer and St. Tammany Parish’s second-largest employer. Healthcare is the second-largest private employment sector in St. Tammany Parish, according to data from St. Tammany Corp., impacting the local economy daily.
The board decision comes as a result of analysis of local workforce data, compensation rates and recognition that colleagues at every level have direct impact on hospital quality, safety and patient experience. STHS was honored for world-class performance in all three measures in 2021 by national organizations including US News & World Report, CareChex, Leapfrog and Healthgrades.
#####
The heartbeat of its community, St. Tammany Health System cares for patients and families with excellence, compassion and teamwork. It is recognized for quality, safety and service excellence by CareChex, Leapfrog, Healthgrades, Hospital Compare, Women’s Choice and US News & World Report. St. Tammany Parish Hospital Service District No. 1 and Ochsner Health work together in partnership to improve the community’s health and quality of life. Together, west St. Tammany’s top two independent health leaders represent the most complete system of care, aligning behind the common goals of improving access, expanding specialty care and making care affordable. Under their agreement, each retains its autonomy; neither manages nor owns the other. Self-supporting, not-for-profit STHS is AA- rated by Fitch and receives no tax funding. More at StTammany.health