Virtua Health Named a Diversity Leader by Modern Healthcare
August 13, 2024 - The South Jersey health system is among 16 organizations nationwide to achieve this prestigious recognition in 2024
Virtua Health is proud to announce its recognition by Modern Healthcare as one of 2024’s Diversity Leaders.
The Diversity Leaders Awards program honors health care executives and organizations working to further equity and inclusion at their organizations and in the overall industry. The winners are listed online and will appear in the September 9 print issue of Modern Healthcare magazine.
“The organizations honored [as Diversity Leaders] set an example, from their leadership ranks to their programming efforts, of the results that can be achieved across a workplace,” said Mary Ellen Podmolik, editor-in-chief of Modern Healthcare. “We hope industry leaders continue to prioritize these efforts to better reflect, internally and externally, the communities they serve.”
Not-for-profit Virtua Health, the largest health system in southern New Jersey, has a long history of serving diverse communities. Virtua President & CEO Dennis W. Pullin, FACHE, has been a guiding force in creating initiatives to identify and advance matters of inclusion, diversity, and health equity. His philosophy of “Everybody, Always” establishes that all people are deserving of excellent, consistent, and personalized health care services. He also espouses the belief that health systems have an obligation to create “communities of wellness,” free of the social and economic barriers that prohibit people from living full, healthy lives.
Pullin has received several accolades from Modern Healthcare in recent years, including:
Earlier this month, business publication ROI-NJ also named Pullin among its 30 ROI Influencers: People of Color.
Pullin is an established advocate for greater representation in leadership. Last year, several articles examined Pullin and Virtua's status-quo-defying senior leadership team, which includes more women than men.
“Recognizing talent and being intentional about how we hire, promote, and ensure fair and equitable opportunities for all, especially women, has been an important tenet of my leadership,” Pullin told ROI-NJ last year. “Today, women are at the helm of many of our divisions, ensuring Virtua is an industry leader in innovation, clinical excellence, and human experience.”
Among those leaders is Rhonda Jordan, SHRM-SCP, executive vice president and chief human resources officer. In June 2024, Jordan received the New Jersey Hospital Association Award for Inclusion & Diversity.
“Virtua Health is gratified to be honored by Modern Healthcare for encouraging and celebrating inclusion, diversity, and equity,” said Jordan. “For our 14,000-person workforce, this means fostering a culture that appreciates our individuality while reminding us of our shared vision and values. We want each colleague to know they belong and appreciate the value they add.”