Opportunity First

The U.S. Department of Labor has given its coveted “Opportunity Award” to the Johns Hopkins Health System in recognition of the equal opportunity employment efforts at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center. It was the first time in the history of the award that a hospital received it. Some of the programs cited that prepare staff for advancement within the organization include the On Site RN to BSN Program, an internal recruitment campaign and formal diversity council, and the Hispanic Geriatric Nursing Assistant Program. “We are committed to equal opportunity and affirmative action to recruit and retain female and minority candidates, as well as veterans and people with disabilities,” says Gregory Schaffer, president of Johns Hopkins Bayview. Each year, only one federal contractor or nonprofit organization is recognized for establishing comprehensive workforce strategies that exemplify best corporate practices of nondiscrimination.