HSHS eliminates barriers to further education

By Eva Westein

Contributing Writer

GREEN BAY – Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS) recently kicked off a new program called Resources & Education for the Advancement of Colleagues (REACH).

Through the REACH program, HSHS will cover up to $4,000 in tuition annually for its employees who are eligible to participate from day one of employment, encouraging employees to learn in-demand skills and gain career advancement while removing the burden of upfront tuition costs.

According to a press release from HSHS, the new program was developed in partnership with InStride, “a premier workforce education solutions provider that has helped leading companies achieve 90% employee retention rates for participating employees and a threefold return on investment in direct-bill education programs — a 75% efficiency improvement over standard tuition reimbursement.”

REACH acts as a mutually beneficial program.

On top of allowing employees to explore further education opportunities in subjects that interest them, it also allows HSHS to experience growth internally by encouraging colleagues towards high-demand positions within the hospitals.

“We want to see our colleagues grow and develop by being promoted within career ladders… joining HSHS in any position and having that opportunity to grow,” explained Mason Quackenbush, HSHS talent planning and growth system director.

Quackenbush likened the opportunity to entering high school and not knowing what you want to do when you grow up.

“If you’re not sure what you want to do, you can apply to any position at HSHS and know that there is a chance that you can help people… you could join us as a maintenance worker, you could join us as an entry level position in our lab, you could enter in our supply chain areas. Once you get here you can take that opportunity to grow, learn, develop, and you can still become a nurse, a certified nursing assistant or other things,” Quackenbush explained.

The main goal of the REACH program is to eliminate barriers for a potential student to further their education, so the only criteria to participate in the program aside from being employed by HSHS is being in good standing and having a good performance record as a colleague there. “We really want to be open to anybody,” Quackenbush stated.

For more information, visit hshs.instride.com.