Penn State Health has received the 3-Star Employer Award in the 2025 VETS Indexes Employer Awards program, the third consecutive year the health system has been honored for its commitment to hiring, retaining and supporting veterans and the military community.
April 28, 2025
“Even as more organizations than ever before are recognizing the uniquely valuable skills that veterans bring as employees, the efforts of Penn State Health stand out. Congratulations for your remarkable progress creating a workplace that welcomes veterans and empowers them to advance their careers,” said George Altman, president of VETS Indexes.
This year, more than 290 organizations, including companies, government agencies, nonprofits and universities across the nation, were recognized for their support of veterans, members of the National Guard and Reserves, and military spouses.
“At Penn State Health, we are proud to honor the service, sacrifices and bravery of military veterans and create an environment where they can thrive in their careers,” said Wesley McClendon, Penn State Health chief learning and organization development officer. “By hiring veterans and members of the military and bringing them together through our Military and Veterans Business Employee Resource Group, we gain enormous experience and talent to better serve our patients.”
VETS Indexes is an advisory firm that provides custom indexes and benchmarking services for government and private sectors. A leading voice on veteran employment, it measures the performance of public companies and identifies those most supportive of military veterans, service members and their families. Award criteria focus on recruitment and hiring, development and retention, inclusive policies and culture, support for members of the National Guard and Reserves and support for military spouses and families.
“One of the best ways to support veterans is to connect them with fulfilling and meaningful careers,” Altman said. The federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reports that between half to three-fourths of veterans experience stress when transitioning from military to civilian employment.
Penn State Health is an integrated academic health system serving patients and communities across 15 counties in central Pennsylvania. It employs more than 20,900 people systemwide.
The system includes Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Penn State Health Children’s Hospital and Penn State Cancer Institute based in Hershey, Pa.; Penn State Health Hampden Medical Center in Enola, Pa.; Penn State Health Holy Spirit Medical Center in Camp Hill, Pa.; Penn State Health Lancaster Medical Center in Lancaster, Pa.; Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center in Reading, Pa.; Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute, a specialty provider of inpatient and outpatient behavioral health services, in Harrisburg, Pa.; and 2,417 physicians and direct care providers at 186 outpatient practices. Additionally, the system jointly operates various healthcare providers, including Penn State Health Rehabilitation Hospital, Hershey Outpatient Surgery Center and Hershey Endoscopy Center.
In 2017, Penn State Health partnered with Highmark Health to facilitate creation of a value-based, community care network in the region.
Penn State Health shares an integrated strategic plan and operations with Penn State College of Medicine, the University’s medical school. With campuses in State College and Hershey, Pa., the College of Medicine boasts a portfolio of more than $159 million in funded research and more than 1,700 students and trainees in medicine, nursing, other health professions and biomedical research.
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