Advocate South Suburban Hospital in Hazel Crest, Ill., launched its “School at Work” program in 2009. The innovative program is designed to help hospital employees develop math, grammar, computer, reading and basic health care information skills in order for them to bridge from a high school education to readiness for health care certification or degree programs.
 

Under the guidance of Jo Gilbride, Advocate South Suburban Hospital’s manager of education, the participants attend two, 16-week courses, two hours a week. The courses feature interactive computer and DVD-based instruction. Each student also completes an individualized learning plan and receives one-on-one career counseling.
 

“Our program is partially funded through a grant provided by the Chicago Department of Community Development,” said Gilbride. “Advocate South Suburban Hospital received funding for 16 students which creates one of the largest classes in the grant project that includes 12 Chicagoland hospitals.”
 

Outcomes for School at Work at other hospitals have included a 33 percent promotion rate and a 33 percent college matriculation rate for School at Work graduates. “We’re very excited to offer this kind of an opportunity at Advocate South Suburban Hospital,” Gilbride added. “It is part of our commitment to invest in our associate’s development, grow our own workforce, and encourage lifelong learning. Our associates are much more than their jobs.”

Advocate South Suburban Hospital is a 289-bed, acute care facility that serves Chicago’s south suburbs. The not-for-profit hospital is part of Advocate Health Care, one of the leading, integrated health care systems in the nation.