More than 2,700 employees across Penn Medicine — and nearly 350 from Penn Presbyterian Medical Center alone — utilized the health system’s tuition assistance benefit last year, seeking out new opportunities to advance their careers, develop their expertise, and even explore new interests related to their fields. Whether staff choose to pursue an associate’s degree, a doctorate, or something in between, Penn makes it possible to take courses at local universities and colleges or evening and online courses with partnered schools — with $8,000 per calendar year available for full-time employees and $4,000 for part-time employees. All of this not only helps employees to grow and strengthen their professional skills, but these advanced skills also translate to improved patient outcomes.
“Our outstanding tuition benefits allow our staff to build on the skills that are necessary to support our hospital, while also empowering them to explore new career paths or continue their educational journey,” said Margorie Michele, MPA, PhD, Chief Human Resources Officer for PPMC. “We are determined to support our workforce as the landscape of healthcare continues to evolve.”
Learn how some of your colleagues are building on their knowledge and pursuing advanced degrees in the profiles below.
Leslie Fine, RN, BSN, RAC-CT
MS in Clinical Toxicology | University of Florida | Fall 2019
Higher education has always been on Leslie Fine, RN, BSN, RAC-CT’s radar — her whole family has pursued advanced degrees — but she wanted to wait to for the right time and the right subject before she dove in. As the admissions director and registered nurse assessment coordinator (RNAC) for PPMC’s Center for Continuing Care, Fine supports patients with diverse, complex needs. When it hit her that gaining a thorough understanding of toxins and drug reactions could not only benefit her work as a nurse, but also check her “higher ed degree” and “passionate interest” boxes, she was sold.
“It may have taken me awhile to figure it out, but I’m really happy with my choice of Pharmaceutical Sciences with a concentration in Clinical Toxicology. The coursework is difficult, but the field is fascinating, and I know this is information I’ll use daily,” she said. “Having the support of my employer means so much. It’s important to me to build on my education and seek out knowledge, and I’m really grateful to have the opportunity to keep developing myself.”
Ray Lewis, Jr., MDiv
DMin, Pastoral Care | United Lutheran University | Spring 2019
While some staff members decide to explore new disciplines, some opt to build on and leverage the field they’re already in. Nearly a decade ago, PPMC trauma chaplain Ray Lewis, Jr., MDiv, began pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree with a focus on Pastoral Care, but circumstances unfortunately required him put his education goals on hold. Fast forward to 2019 — his graduation day is in now sight, and he’s putting the finishing touches on his dissertation, which focuses on building strong relationships between young Black men and members of the clergy and finding new ways to reach out to and connect with the West Philadelphia community.
“Penn’s tuition benefit program offered me the perfect opportunity to start fresh at square one and make my dream a reality. It’s a wonderful incentive to expand your education and the work you’re doing so you can make a bigger impact on the community,” he said. “I’m so thankful for this program, and I’m looking forward to better speaking to the systemic issues that bring patients, and particularly young Black men, into our Trauma Center.”
Troy Boone, RN, BSN
MS in Health Informatics | Grand Canyon University | Spring 2020
After 17 years as a New Jersey police officer, Troy Boone, RN, BSN, decided to try giving back to the community in a different way. He became a nurse, and he has spent the last two and a half years in the infusion suite at Penn Medicine Cherry Hill, which is overseen by PPMC. When Boone realized he could combine his interest in health care with his background in computer programming and improve patient outcomes via information systems, he started taking steps towards his next path: health informatics. He is currently studying topics like database development and analysis/application of health care research.
“The program I’m pursuing prepares you for a wide variety of positions, and I’m especially interested in leveraging software for process improvements. In the future, I plan to transition to IT so I can play a role in the continuing evolution of the health system’s processes,” he said. “The tuition benefit has been really great; I’ve had to pay nothing out of pocket, and I believe more staff should be taking advantage of it.”