At CGK, we are passionate about uncovering insights that help organizations solve complex workforce challenges. That’s why we were so excited to partner with the Children’s Hospital Association (CHA) on a groundbreaking national workforce study. Children’s hospitals play a vital role in communities across the U.S., and this research was designed to help them attract, retain, and develop a diverse, multigenerational workforce—ensuring they can continue their life-saving mission!
Why This Research Is So Important
Children’s hospitals provide exceptional care during some of the most challenging moments families face. They’re also places of hope and healing, consistently combining critical expertise with compassion. At CGK, we understand the importance of ensuring children’s hospitals have the workforce they need to fulfill their mission. Jason Dorsey, CGK’s President and co-founder, often shares that his own family has benefited from the care of a children’s hospital, which made this project especially meaningful to him and to all of us at CGK.
This collaboration with CHA marked the second time we’ve partnered together to deliver new research and insights to best support their industry. This time, our goal was to uncover actionable insights that children’s hospitals can use to address current workforce challenges and prepare for the future. These challenges are more pressing than ever, as hospitals navigate workforce shortages, shifting generational preferences, and the need to build diverse, inclusive teams.
What We Discovered
The national study revealed hidden workforce trends, unexpected motivations, and new opportunities for children’s hospitals to position themselves as employers of choice. Some of the key discoveries included:
- Generational differences in perceptions and motivations: Each generation brings unique priorities and expectations to the workplace, which can either align with or challenge traditional approaches in children’s hospitals.
- Strategies to attract and retain diverse talent: We explored how children’s hospitals can reach underrepresented workforce segments and create pathways for rewarding careers in the industry.
- Practical solutions to workforce barriers: The study uncovered actionable ways hospitals can address key challenges, from recruiting younger employees to retaining experienced professionals, in ways that resonate across generations.
The depth of the data allowed us to identify groundbreaking patterns and trends that simply aren’t available anywhere else, giving children’s hospitals an edge in their workforce strategies.
Sharing the Findings at CHA’s National Meeting
The highlight of this collaboration was presenting the findings at CHA’s National Meeting in San Antonio. Jason had the honor of sharing unexpected insights, data-driven strategies, and real-world examples with a ballroom full of leaders, executives, board members, and other stakeholders from children’s hospitals across the country. The response was incredible, and attendees were excited to implement the findings in their organizations.
The research also highlighted the importance of creating workplaces where every generation feels valued. When organizations make space for each generation to contribute their unique strengths, they can unlock innovation, improve retention, and build stronger teams—all of which are critical in an industry like healthcare.
A Partnership We’re Proud Of
We are so grateful to the team at CHA for their leadership and vision. Their dedication to addressing workforce challenges head-on ensures that children’s hospitals can continue providing the best possible care for the families who rely on them.
At CGK, we believe in the power of research to drive real change. Collaborating with CHA on this national study reinforced the importance of understanding generational dynamics to create meaningful solutions that benefit both organizations and the people they serve.
Thank you to CHA for the opportunity to partner on this vital research and for the work you do every day to make a difference in the lives of children and families.
