Saint Peter’s leads as first NJ health system with employee tuition coverage

Saint Peter’s Healthcare System, New Brunswick, has launched New Jersey’s first tuition-free education benefit available for healthcare employees. The Learning, Education and Advancement Program, available to Saint Peter’s full- and part-time employees, makes educational growth accessible so employees can earn valuable credentials and degrees to advance their professional careers in health care.

The initiative complements Saint Peter’s existing tuition reimbursement policy, improving access to learning by lowering the financial barrier of upfront tuition costs for employees. Through LEAP, employees will be able to access over 1,000 online learning options, ranging from bachelor’s degrees to skill courses and English-language learning from academic institutions including Arizona State University, The City University of New York, and the University of Colorado, among others.

“As a mission-based healthcare system, this program underscores Saint Peter’s commitment to transforming careers and our community,” said Laura Atkinson, vice president and chief human resources officer at Saint Peter’s. “It is an investment in education, our employees, and the strength and unity of our community, ensuring our caregivers reflect the rich diversity of those we proudly serve with compassionate care.”

Leslie D. Hirsch, FACHE, president and CEO of Saint Peter’s Healthcare System, said, “I am proud to offer this world-class educational opportunity to our employees – the first of its kind for a healthcare system in New Jersey. We developed this program because we believe every Saint Peter’s employee should have the ability to learn and advance. LEAP is a win-win for our organization, as having the ability to grow and excel in one’s career supports advancement, while enhancing the patient experience and allowing us to retain our best and brightest.”

Saint Peter’s is an award-winning healthcare partner for residents of New Jersey and beyond. Focused on recruiting and retaining talent and improving career advancement for its diverse workforce, the healthcare system has partnered with InStride to create the LEAP program. In support of hiring for Saint Peter’s current job opportunities, full-and part-time employees are eligible to participate after only 90 days.

“Saint Peter’s shares our dedication to advancing employees’ careers through equitable access to education,” said Craig Maloney, CEO of InStride. “We’re honored to deliver a workforce education program that unlocks the full potential of their employees, supporting the delivery of exceptional care to a dynamic community.”