Paving the Way: Holy Cross Health’s Career Pathways Program Serves Dual Purpose
In a world where opportunities often seem out of reach, Holy Cross Health is breaking barriers with its Career Pathways Program. This innovative initiative, launched in 2022, has already begun to transform lives by providing a brighter future for participating colleagues.
The program, driven by a commitment to equity and professional growth, aims to bridge the gap for colleagues who hold high potential but may lack advanced degrees. Holy Cross Health partnered with Maryland Physicians Care to create a unique opportunity for colleagues employed in roles requiring a high school diploma or GED. Through Career Pathways, they can embark on a career advancement journey by completing specialized certification programs.
As Doreen Coburn, Chief Human Resources Officer, Holy Cross Health, puts it, “Our colleagues are the heart of Holy Cross Health, and the Career Pathways Program reflects our unwavering dedication to their success. This initiative is a testament to our belief that regardless of educational background, every individual deserves the chance to thrive in their career.”
The program’s journey began in 2019 when Holy Cross Health’s Community Health Department initiated efforts to address the social needs of colleagues. A specialized screening tool and the assistance of a Community Health Worker (CHW) were introduced to assess and support colleagues in need. Building upon this foundation, the screening program expanded in 2021, reaching a quarter of the workforce, and identified key areas of concern, with food insecurity and the need for increased work hours and higher pay standing out.
The Career Pathways Program was launched in the fall of 2022 to address these needs directly. This transformative initiative provides colleagues nominated by their managers the opportunity to advance within Holy Cross Health by completing certification programs tailored to their career goals. With the program covering tuition and the invaluable support of a dedicated CHW, colleagues are thriving. Already, we’ve seen success stories with new hires and colleagues completing coursework, paving the way for even more colleagues to achieve their career aspirations. Jessica Sanchez participated in medical assistant path of the program and said, “Someone believed in me and helped me grow.”
Empowering colleagues to reach their full potential is at the heart of Holy Cross Health’s mission, and the Career Pathways Program is a shining example of the organization’s commitment to its dedicated workforce.
Stay tuned for more updates and success stories as the Career Pathways Program continues positively impacting our Holy Cross Health family.
About Maryland Physicians Care
Maryland Physicians Care, headquartered in Linthicum Heights, Md., provides free, quality health care services to Maryland’s HealthChoice enrollees by extending the full benefits of Medicaid through a comprehensive network of medical providers. MPC was founded in 1996 and is owned by Ascension Saint Agnes, Holy Cross Health, Meritus Health, and UPMC Western Maryland. MPC serves over 240K members and covers all counties in the State of Maryland. MPC believes in helping its members make good decisions about their health and works to help them plot a course to maintain or improve their health. Those interested in enrolling with MPC must be qualifying members of HealthChoice, a program of the Maryland Department of Health. Learn more about MPC by visiting mpcMedicaid.com. Enroll with MPC at mpcmedicaid.com/enroll.
