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15 75 Years of Rebuilding Lives | 1941-2016 An Award-Winning Employer "Our team is fully engaged with their patients yet have a work-life balance," said Nancy Martone, vice president of hu- man resources. "is culture really resonates." And this workplace excellence is recognized beyond hospital walls. Four years in a row, the hospital was awarded a coveted spot on e Hartford Courant and FOX CT Top Workplaces list, in the large business division. It earned a ranking as one of the best places to work in the Greater Hartford area, judged by its employees. "We are very proud of the award," said Martone. Professional development opportunities are many, says Mar- tone, whether an HSC staff member or a student in need of clinical training. Knowing that more is accomplished together, the hospital has formed valuable affiliations and has become a sought-after facility in which to learn. Over time, HSC has invested in relationships with over 60 colleges and universities, hosting healthcare students for clinical training, all drawn by HSC's reputation in care. Hospital leaders benefit from the Advisory Group Leader Development, a national program based on best-practice re- search in healthcare management. For managers and super- visors, the program "helps leaders transform organizations," Martone said. Existing team members have access to confer- ences, seminars, webinars and tuition assistance, she said, as well as on-site speakers from across the globe to give employees the tools to provide the very best health care has to offer. In terms of community outreach, in partnership with the Opportunities Industrialization Center (OIC), the hospital works with young adults considering careers in healthcare. ey work at the hospital and get job training, vocational counseling and job-search help, Martone said. HSC also teams up with Capital Workforce Partners, working with un- employed or underemployed healthcare workers to help them retrain if needed. "So far we've hired five," said Martone. Whether strengthening its leadership education offerings or reaching out to those in the community, HSC operates on the idea that knowledge is the power that will ultimately benefit its patients. And with knowledge should come a robust exchange of ideas and viewpoints. e hospital looks at hiring diversity from a broader sense, said Martone, looking at inclusion of personality types and work styles as well as ethnic backgrounds, and building a strong team with a range of perspectives. "ese are the best decisions for our patient population, which is also diverse," she said. HSC professional development, along with an excellent benefit package and a flexible schedule is how HSC invests in its employees. In doing so, it also invests in the welfare of its patients and the community. n Hospital for Special Care's scope of quality care extends beyond its patients. It also invests in those who care for its patients — its valued employees. Appreciation for and engagement of diverse team members is woven into the culture of the hospital, with its annual Employee of the Year program, professional development, on-site Early Learning Center, seven paid holidays, flexible schedules and no mandatory overtime, among other things. HSC makes it easy for its employees to offer the best care possible to patients, and works to show them they are appreciated, which in turn funnels through to patient care.