AUSTIN, Texas – Doctors Hospital at Renaissance Health System, otherwise known as DHR Health, has been named Large Employer of the Year by the Texas Workforce Commission.
The recognition was made at TWC’s 24rd Annual Texas Workforce Conference held virtually on December 9.
The Texas Workforce Commission is a state agency dedicated to helping Texas employers, workers and communities prosper economically.
Each of TWC’s 28 local workforce development boards recognized a Local Employer of Excellence at the virtual conference. The award honors an employer that is actively involved with Texas Workforce Solutions and has made a positive impact on employers, workers and the community.
DHR Health was nominated by Workforce Solutions Lower Rio Grande Valley.
“Congratulations to Doctors Hospital at Renaissance Health System, this year’s Large Employer of the Year Award winner, for their demonstrated commitment to the Lower Rio Grande Valley,” said TWC Chairman and Commissioner Representing the Public Bryan Daniel.
“Their innovative partnership with local Workforce Solutions offices to hire, train and invest in local workers is needed now more than ever.”
In total, 19 large private-sector employers nominated from across Texas. The list was whittled down to three finalists and DHR Health came out on top. Daniel said all nominees were recognized for contributions to their community’s workforce through innovation and collaboration with their Texas Workforce Solutions partner.
Doctors Hospital at Renaissance Health System, located in Edinburg, is a 500+ bed physician-owned health system. It currently employs over 5,000 workers.
Through its Skills Development Fund Initiative, TWC awarded a partnership between South Texas College and DHR Health with the largest Skills Development Grant of its kind.
Julian Alvarez is the TWC Commissioner representing Labor. He is a native of the Rio Grande Valley.
Alvarez said the TWC, DHR and STC tie-up was a major milestone for healthcare partnerships in the state and for workforce training, education, and funding in the region. He said the skills development initiative serves as a model for other employers in the healthcare sector throughout the state and country.
Alvarez said that by securing Skills Development Fund monies from his agency, DHR Health was able to provide an estimated 27,900 hours of training to incumbent workers. An estimated 77,770 hours of training will have been provided at completion of the grant.
“Skilled healthcare workers are essential, Alvarez said. “Doctors Hospital at Renaissance Health System has developed a pipeline of skilled workers that will continue to help the entire Rio Grande Valley for years to come.”
Alvarez added that with a rapidly growing healthcare industry, DHR Health is working with Workforce Solutions to develop the necessary infrastructure to attract, promote, and retain top quality medical professionals and education to meet the industry demand.
Other DHR Health partners include Region One Education Service Center and its 37-member school districts serving over 400,000 students.
“Congratulations to DHR Health on this recognition and for their continued leadership throughout the South Texas region,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Aaron Demerson. “Their partnership with South Texas College has helped to create new jobs and provide state of the art training for their current employees.”
Demerson said TWC has a unique opportunity to work with DHR Health and school districts to help expand the talent pipeline of education in healthcare increasing the number of students graduating with certificates and degrees in healthcare and ultimately obtaining highly skilled, high paying jobs.
A news release from TWC says that in addition to employee training, DHR Health has established strong partnerships with local school districts and colleges to increase student exposure and awareness of education and career opportunities in healthcare.
It said DHR Health partnered with PSJA Independent School District and STC to create a one of a kind program providing high school students a pathway into concurrent enrollment in the Associate’s Degree in Nursing program at STC and employment at DHR Health.
“Through partnerships with area school districts and Region One Education Service Center, DHR Health was instrumental in securing funding to expand this program, to include three school districts, allowing up to 60 high school students each year to begin their education in nursing,” the news release stated.
Editor’s Note: The main image accompanying the above news story shows the three commissioners on the Texas Workforce Commission board: Aaron Emerson, Bryan Daniel, and Julian Alvarez.
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