By Quian Callender
Hartford HealthCare Administrative Fellow & Business Intelligence Analyst, Analytics Consulting
As a health system, Hartford HealthCare interacts with patients all the time. Yet only 20 percent of a person’s health and well-being is determined by clinical factors, so engagement with people who are not patients is critical. Hartford HealthCare must influence, through education and other means, parts of the other 80 percent of a person’s health and well-being.
Here’s an example. Recently, Hartford HealthCare hosted college students from Hartford Youth Scholars, a 10-year program that prepares Hartford students for post-secondary education. The day, planned as a cover-letter workshop, became something much greater: The experiences expanded the scholars’ understanding of Hartford HealthCare and the healthcare profession.
The scholars were welcomed in the morning by Tracy Church, executive vice president and chief administrative officer who also serves as vice chair for Hartford Youth Scholars. Tracy discussed the importance of career readiness and congratulated the attendees for taking an active role in their professional development.
The 2019 Hartford HealthCare Administrative Fellows — Ashley Bodamer, Eric Olsen and I — then gave the Scholars an overview of the multifaceted healthcare industry before diving into the cover-letter workshop.
Prior to their visit, the scholars were sent job descriptions for entry-level roles at Hartford HealthCare in functional areas such as finance, information technology and patient services. The scholars used the job descriptions to craft their first-draft cover letter. After giving an overview of cover letter dos and don’ts, the administrative fellows worked with each of the scholars to edit and enhance their cover letters.
With their new cover letters in hand, the scholars listened to Gerry Lupacchino, SVP EEOD; Greg Jones, VP Community Health & Engagement; Mary Morgan, VP Talent Acquisition; and Eric Hoeppner, VP Human Resources. The executive leaders shared their unique career paths, showing the scholars that there are endless ways to have a successful career, have an impact and fulfill one’s passion.
The scholars also heard from alumnae of Hartford Youth Scholars who are now employed by Hartford HealthCare. Celymarie Diaz, leadership and organizational development assistant in EEOD, and Olayinka Osho-Williams, recruiting assistant in Talent Acquisition shared their experiences in Hartford Youth Scholars, their transition from college to the workforce and the professional development opportunities they now have as Hartford HealthCare employees.
The day would not be complete without an interactive tour of the Center for Education, Innovation and Simulation (CESI). The Scholars cycled through CPR training, da Vinci robotics and a birthing simulation before reflecting on the entire day’s experience.
“I am appreciative of the tips and advice I received throughout the day regarding how to write effective cover letters,” said Shanelle Jones, a sophomore political science and human tights major in UConn’s honors program. (Shown above performing CPR at CESI.) “I enjoyed doing the hands-on activities the most. I think I am now considering a career in healthcare because of this visit.”
As a large health system and teaching institution, Hartford HealthCare is positioned to bridge the gap between education and workforce preparation one person at a time. If the communities we serve thrive, then Hartford HealthCare thrives.
About Hartford Youth Scholars: Launched in 2005, the Hartford Youth Scholars’ primary objective is to place scholars at four-year colleges with the preparation to be successful in the postsecondary environment and support them through college graduation. Hartford Youth Scholars fulfills a mission of creating lifetime opportunities for underserved Hartford children through education. The program identifies and recruits highly motivated Hartford middle school students, preparing them for a rigorous high school education. When returning to Hartford after college, scholars support the growth and development of their community. For information, click here.