"I work with a lot of new staff in my role and they tell me, ""It's different here," she says. "Employees go above and beyond; they will do whatever it takes to make that difference in people's lives, whether it is a patient or a co-worker."
Successfully recruiting employees who embrace Covenant Health's compassionate goals and values is no accident but, rather, it is the result of a careful process, says Dumelie. "We spend a considerable amount of effort and energy ensuring that, as we attract people to our organization, we attract people who want to be part of our mission."
Attracting and retaining the right people is critical for the organization, which has 15,000 physicians, employees and volunteers, given the steady population growth of increasing demands for health care as the average age of Albertans rises. "We are a large organization that is growing rapidly," says Dumelie. "Population growth, demographic shifts and the rising need for seniors care has meant that the demands for our services continue to grow."