Becker's Hospital Review

21 CHRO Workforce strategies in the fastest-growing state By Kristin Kuchno A s the fastest-growing U.S. state, South Carolina's population growth is prompting health systems to expand and strengthen their workforce to meet rising demand for care. Driven by a net domestic migration increase of 66,622, the state's population grew 1.5%, or by 79,958 residents, between July 1, 2024, and July 1, 2025. While growth can expand the talent pool, it also means more residents are seeking healthcare. South Carolina-based health system CHROs are investing in workforce development to attract new talent, support existing staff and keep pace with demand. At Greenville, S.C.-based Prisma Health, the focus remains on ensuring facilities and staffing can accommodate rising patient needs across its service area, the largest in the state. To support population growth, Prisma is investing in capital growth, which requires additional staffing, as well as upskilling and reskiling to address emerging healthcare challenges and opportunities. e system is also focused on retaining existing staff, CHRO Amy Linsin told Becker's "[We're] making sure we are building talent pipeline programs and partnerships with schools to ensure more and more skilled healthcare providers are available at all levels to meet current and future healthcare needs," Ms. Linsin said. e system has also maintained competitive wages alongside these investments, she said. Florence, S.C.-based McLeod Health is investing in its local workforce as parts of its service region see unprecedented growth, CHRO Octavia Williams-Blake told Becker's. e system is focusing on local high school students to address current and future staffing needs, she said. "is investment helps us build a direct pipeline to critical and high- demand positions such as nursing, radiology, and pharmacy," Ms. Williams-Blake said. "Our experience shows that students who are local have a very high retention rate and are more likely to stay with us long-term." McLeod Health has already seen success reducing job vacancy rates through its high school student apprenticeship program. "By building these direct pipeline programs to essential healthcare roles, we are ensuring we have a skilled and dedicated workforce ready to meet the demands of our growing region," she said. n Tenet Florida hospital names CHRO By Kristin Kuchno T racey Crandall has been named CHRO of Tenet Healthcare's Good Samaritan Medical Center in West Palm Beach, Fla. Ms. Crandall joined Good Samaritan from a hospital in Rhode Island, where she served as vice president of human resources, according to a Feb. 5 hospital news release shared with Becker's. She brings experience leading HR strategy across complex healthcare organizations, spanning mergers, acquisitions and organizational transformations. Her work has also included aligning workforce strategy closely with organizational goals and patient-centered care. Good Samaritan Medical Center is a 333-bed acute care hospital. It is part of the Palm Beach Health Network and Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare. n Alabama children's hospital taps chief human resources officer By Kristin Kuchno Birmingham-based Children's of Alabama has appointed Clara Blitch as chief human resources officer. Ms. Blitch brings more than 25 years of HR leadership experience across healthcare, hospitality and biotechnology sectors, according to a Jan. 26 hospital news release. She most recently served as CHRO of Williamson Health in Franklin, Tenn., where she oversaw HR operations for more than 2,400 employees and more than 30 sites of care. Her prior roles include HR leadership positions at Atlanta- based Consulate Health Care and Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare. She succeeds Doug Dean, who is retiring after more than 25 years at Children's. During his tenure, the organization grew to nearly 6,000 employees and earned multiple workplace and patient experience honors. n

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