Fostering an
engaged workplace
We engage our colleagues in educational activities on ways to be more inclusive in the workplace. One of the ways we do this is through our award-winning BRAVE (Bold, Relevant, Authentic, Valuable and Educational) Conversations program. Through BRAVE Conversations, colleagues have the opportunity to discuss complex topics through a safe, immersive dialogue experience.
Thousands of colleagues have attended BRAVE Conversations over the past five years.
Colleague Networks
Since launching the Colleague Networks program in 2021, our nine colleague-led, self-directed voluntary networks have helped strengthen our culture of belonging by facilitating connection, collaboration and celebration among colleagues.
We have established over 130 local Colleague Network chapters since April 2022 that are engaged in meaningful programming across the enterprise. Colleague Networks have seen a considerable amount of growth in recent months, with a 115% increase in membership since January 2023. We believe Colleague Networks are having a tangible impact on colleagues’ sense of belonging.
- Our October 2023 employee engagement survey showed that colleagues who were engaged with a Colleague Network reported having a higher sense of belonging at HCA Healthcare compared to the general colleague population.
Embracing diverse abilities
To support our strategic efforts of ensuring equitable care and creating a work environment for colleagues of all abilities, we expanded our partnerships with organizations to better understand the diverse needs of our colleagues and patients.
- 500+ local jobs expected to be created for adults with autism and neurodiversities
In 2023, we partnered with Deque Accessibility Solutions to host an Accessibility Awareness lab on our corporate campus. Colleagues participated in the interactive learning experience and were guided through different assistive technologies to have a deeper understanding of what it’s like to have specific disabilities, including dyslexia, blindness or low vision and mobility challenges.
In partnership with The Precisionists, Inc. (TPI), an organization that supports employment for adults with disabilities, we engage neurodiverse adults to work alongside HCA Healthcare’s Information Technology Group (ITG) on a variety of support functions including data analysis and data entry. In partnership with TPI and other community organizations, we plan to create more than 500 local jobs for adults with autism and neurodiversities within the next three to five years in Nashville, Tennessee.
We continue to support Project SEARCH, an adult internship program developed to help individuals with physical and developmental disabilities secure competitive paying jobs. In 2023, HCA Healthcare’s West Florida, Capital and North Carolina divisions partnered with Project SEARCH and helped participants learn new skills and receive valuable support with the goal of attaining a permanent career in healthcare.
- Through education, recruitment and targeted programming, our Diversability Colleague Network continues to seek to advance awareness and inclusion for colleagues with disabilities, as well as those who serve as caregivers or advocates for persons with disabilities. Our Diversability Colleague Network serves as a valuable advocacy group and has expanded to six divisions within its first year.
- We are incorporating information about neurodiversity in HCA Healthcare’s 2024 annual Code of Conduct training for colleagues to learn more about ways to best support colleagues and patients who are neurodiverse.
Being there for our military community
We are proud to be a nationally recognized military-friendly employer. We work to offer a supportive environment for our military community through our inclusive workplace programs, partnerships with other organizations, employment practices and recruitment.
Since 2012, HCA Healthcare has hired more than 60,000 veterans, active-duty and reserve personnel and military spouses.
One of our veteran colleagues, Alex Kell, a senior director with our Information Technology Group, was honored with a 2023 Employee Veteran Leadership Award (EVLA) by VIQTORY’s Military Friendly® program. The prestigious award program selects veterans for having a positive impact on the organizations they work for, as well as the military and veteran community. “HCA Healthcare’s culture is similar to the military in that it prioritizes caring like family and supporting one another,” Alex said. “HCA Healthcare seeks to connect colleagues with a higher purpose and people from the military are looking for that again after separation.”
We were one of the first organizations to partner with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation to help lead the Hiring 100,000 Military Spouses campaign in 2019. The 2019 campaign was a three-year call to action for U.S. organizations of all sizes to make a collective commitment to hire 100,000 military spouses. Through the campaign, more than 7,000 military spouses have joined HCA Healthcare.
In 2023, HCA Healthcare earned the following distinctions for our efforts to support U.S. veteran and military communities:
- Military Times recognized HCA Healthcare as a Best for Vets employer for the fourth consecutive year, highlighting its efforts to recruit, retain and support current and former service members, military spouses and military caregivers.
- VIQTORY has recognized HCA Healthcare as a Military Friendly employer for 13 consecutive years. This year, HCA Healthcare has been upgraded to Gold distinction for our veteran hiring practices, programs and support initiatives.
- RecruitMilitary® has recognized HCA Healthcare as a 2023 Champion for Military Hiring based on the pursuit of hiring excellence.
- Disabled American Veterans® has recognized and awarded HCA Healthcare the Patriot Employer award for demonstrating an unwavering commitment to hiring and supporting military talent through employment policies, hiring practices and community outreach.