Press Release

Ellis outlines details on Ellis Promise jobs program, thanks sponsors

Monday, April 24, 2023

The promise creates pathways to employment for Schenectady’s under-resourced residents
 

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. — Ellis Medicine is pleased to recognize the partners whose generosity has made the groundbreaking Ellis Promise program possible:  Mother Cabrini Health Foundation and KeyBank.

Ellis Promise, a new partnership between Ellis, Schenectady City School District and SUNY Schenectady, takes a holistic approach that includes diverse recruiters, success coaches, community navigators and financial support to help workers and nursing students overcome common barriers and achieve long-term success. The goal is twofold: To help Ellis attract a sustainable and diverse workforce and to give Schenectady residents more extensive opportunities to find and maintain living-wage employment.

“Ellis Promise is our pledge to the City of Schenectady, its students and adults,” said Paul Milton, President & CEO of Ellis Medicine. “We know that when it comes to better health, the power of real change lies within our diverse community. By developing long-term strategies that build bridges to employment, instead of walls, we will create a brighter future for residents and for Ellis itself.”

Milton’s inspiration for Ellis Promise came after learning of Schenectady Promise, which guarantees all Schenectady High School graduates admission into SUNY Schenectady. 

“Ellis operates very much like a city,” said Milton. “Ellis has roughly 20 job categories —presently more than 100 positions—that require only a high school diploma, including jobs in food services, IT, finance and security. And those who go on to one of SUNY Schenectady’s many health care programs are perfect candidates for direct admission to our Belanger School of Nursing. Other SUNY Associate degree programs align perfectly with many needs at Ellis. At the same time, we know there are adults in our community who have a lot to offer Ellis and we are actively looking for them, too.”

None of this would be possible without Mother Cabrini Health Foundation and KeyBank.

A grant from the Mother Cabrini will fund two recruiter positions—one to engage with Schenectady High graduates and the other to recruit SUNY Schenectady students with a Nutrition AS or health certificate for direct admission to the Belanger School of Nursing or Ellis employment. In addition, funding will allow Ellis to partner with local nonprofits to offer success coaches and mentors for program participants to provide support and training in life skills, language and literacy, and professional practice skills and help address barriers to employment success. Funding from Mother Cabrini will also be used to provide scholarships for second-year nursing students who commit to work at Ellis for three years upon graduation and licensing.

“We see workforce development as a leading area of need across New York State,” said Daniel Frascella, Chief Programs and Grants Officer for Mother Cabrini. “The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation is pleased to support an initiative designed to address both the health care workforce shortage and unemployment in the community, with a goal of advancing health equity and general population health.”

KeyBank’s gift will support employment opportunities for adults living in the City of Schenectady who struggle to find employment close to home, people who have a high school education, people who are differently abled and veterans. Ellis will hire a diverse workforce recruiter to engage with these populations and promote employment opportunities. Once the recruiter has found talent, the employee will be partnered with a success coach and navigators who will help address barriers to success and connect employees with wrap-around community supports for both the employee and their family.

“At KeyBank, we are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion in all we do, both in our workplace and in the communities we proudly serve,” said Fran O’Rourke, KeyBank Capital Region Market President. “All of us at KeyBank are proud to support the Ellis Promise program, which will help attract and maintain a sustainable and diverse workforce at a major employer in our community. We look forward to seeing this program grow and succeed.”

Dr. Steady Moono, President of SUNY Schenectady, described the Promise programs as transformational.

“Our new collaboration with Ellis Medicine will transform the lives of our students and graduates by preparing them for meaningful careers in health care through new co-ops and internships and then laying out a roadmap for them to employment with Ellis Medicine,” he said. “We are setting students and graduates up for success and filling a need for qualified health care professionals in the community at the same time. Ellis Medicine is known for excellent care, compassion, and a commitment to serving patients and their families. SUNY Schenectady is proud to collaborate with them on this new program.”

Anibal Soler, Jr., Superintendent of Schools, added: “This is an exciting day, and we are grateful to Ellis Medicine and the Ellis Promise for their collaboration and partnership in this important initiative that has the potential to make a difference in the lives of students and families in our community. We are all in this work together. Access, support, engagement, and opportunities created through partnerships such as this are how we build connections and strengthen our community.”

For information, go to ellispromise.com.

Ellis Medicine | Newsroom

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Contact:

Communications
Ellis Medicine
1101 Nott Street
Schenectady, NY 12308
518.232.9288