How Novant is meeting a ‘pivotal moment’ through tuition aid
Novant Health is supporting career advancement for its workforce by addressing one of the most significant barriers: the cost of education.
The Winston-Salem, N.C.-based health system on Aug. 18 launched Novant Health Future Forward, a debt-free education initiative. Through the program, the system covers up to $5,250 in annual prepaid tuition for full-time employees and $2,625 for part-time employees.
“We are at a pivotal moment in healthcare, where rising demand and rapid technological advancements are reshaping how care is delivered,” Seb Girard, senior vice president and chief people and belonging officer, told Becker’s. “Our workforce strategy is centered on preparing our 41,000 team members to thrive in this evolving environment.”
Team members can apply on their first day and pursue a high school diploma, college degrees, certifications and English language courses through partner institutions, most of which offer virtual instruction.
The early eligibility ensures each team member joins the system with a forward-looking mindset, focusing not only on their current role but also the skills and credentials needed for growth in the next five to 10 years, Mr. Girard said.
“For some, this means completing a degree program,” he said. “For many others, it involves pursuing targeted training and certifications in high-demand areas such as medical assisting, pharmacy technology and surgical technology.”
Future Forward is part of several workforce development initiatives, including Novant’s recent announcement with Clasp, a nonprofit focused on advancing workforce equity, through which the system will pay a portion of student loans for new nurse anesthetists. Novant also offers traditional tuition reimbursement and scholarships through its upward mobility RN educational assistance fund.
Another key investment is Novant’s commitment to award more than $300 million in bonuses and pay increases in 2025.
“While we will always keep an eye on market analyses so we can offer the most competitive salaries possible, we also will continue to initiate new ways to empower our team members to advance in their careers, and remove barriers that could limit their potential for growth opportunities and internal mobility,” Mr. Girard said.
Novant’s workforce investments support long-term, meaningful careers with the health system and help attract top talent, he said.
“Empowering our team members to build thriving careers is essential to retention, upward mobility and overall well-being,” Mr. Girard said. “In the long term, engaged and high-performing teams are not just a competitive advantage, they are the foundation of exceptional patient care.”
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