Main Line Health makes Forbes’ list of America’s Best Employers for Diversity for the first time

The hospital system is 1 of only 2 from Pennsylvania among the top 500 employers

Bryn Mawr, PA — Main Line Health has achieved a major milestone, making Forbes’ list of America’s Best Employers for Diversity in 2023 for the first time. It received a ranking of 436 out of 500 top employers and is one of only two Pennsylvania hospital systems on the list.

Forbes based its rankings on a survey of 45,000 Americans working for large employers. Survey participants rated their organizations on criteria such as age, gender equality, ethnicity, LGBTQIA+ and general diversity. Responses were anonymous and employers were not involved in the process.

“This recognition from Forbes is a significant milestone and we are incredibly proud,” said Karen Fitzpatrick-Smith, system director for Diversity, Respect and Inclusion. “Main Line Health has truly dedicated itself to not only hiring employees from all backgrounds but making sure their voices are heard throughout the system. We have been working to lay an infrastructure aimed at diversifying our workforce, and those efforts are starting to pay off. Although much work lies ahead, we will continue to build on this foundation and will not allow our focus to slip.”

After several years of increased efforts, Main Line Health took a major step forward in 2021 with the creation of a DRE&I department whose sole focus is building diversity, equity and inclusion to improve the employee and patient experience. The system is now making robust use of data, creating a dashboard accessible to all hiring managers that shines a light on diversity representation in their departments.

Main Line Health has also taken other steps to improve its employee hiring pipeline, including bringing members to its talent acquisition team focused on areas of the organization where diversity goals have not been met. The Talent Acquisition and Talent Strategy teams are partnering more closely with local Historically Black Colleges and Universities to seek potential job candidates.

Last year marked the launch of employee-led resource groups focused on improving the overall employee and patient experience. These groups bring together individuals with shared experiences, interests and goals to build a more inclusive workplace and drive the organization’s strategic priorities and business outcomes.

Main Line Health simultaneously has dedicated itself not only to diverse hiring but greater equity in patient care. In 2021, it named Shonalie Roberts as system director for health equity, aimed at ensuring that patients receive the same high-quality care regardless of background.