BayCare Selected for National Workforce Development Award

The National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB), a membership organization and advocate for more than 550 workforce investment boards nationwide, selected BayCare Health System as the 2016 winner of the W.O. Lawton Business Leadership Award. 

The NAWB presents the award annually to an organization that made the commitment of time, money, and leadership to make their community’s workforce and economy more vibrant and has gone above and beyond to be a full partner in their local Workforce Development Board’s endeavors. BayCare is being recognized for its collaboration with CareerSource Pinellas to provide specialized health care training that is supplying the region with talent in high-wage, high-demand allied health care occupations. 

Through the partnership, BayCare implemented several initiatives including contributing $4.57 million in matching funds for the H-1B grant awarded to CareerSource by the U.S. Department of Labor. These pooled investments in the health care workforce in the Tampa Bay area helped train more than 650 individuals since 2011, including creating jobs for 140 new registered nurses at BayCare. 

“BayCare is a role model not only for its willingness to invest its own resources in the health care workforce talent needs of its community, but for its unwavering commitment to improving the economic prosperity of the entire region through partnerships, job creation, and improving the lives of individual citizens,” said NAWB President and CEO Ron Painter. 

BayCare’s contributions to workforce development are further demonstrated through a number of community partnerships and financial support for organizations that address health and wellness needs, provide health care for disadvantaged citizens, or improve the lives of children. 

“We are honored to be recognized on a national level for our collaboration with CareerSource and the work we’re doing to ensure that the Tampa Bay community is cared for by highly talented and specialized caregivers,” said Robert Garry, director of organizational development and learning for BayCare.  

BayCare was honored during the NAWB’s annual conference, The Forum 2016, which took place March 12-15, 2016, in Washington, D.C. 

In addition, state Sen. Jack Latvala introduced resolution SB 1762 during the 2016 state legislative session recognizing BayCare as the recipient of the 2016 W.O. Lawton Business Leadership Award and the work the health care system is doing with CareerSource Tampa Bay to train registered nurses.