When it comes to hiring well-qualified healthcare practitioners, Mass General Brigham has consistently looked to MGH Institute of Health Professions.

The MGH Institute, the only degree-granting affiliate of New England’s largest care provider, has more than 1,400, or almost 15% of its graduates, working at MGB hospitals. That’s why nearly two dozen teams of administrators, clinical directors, and hiring managers attended the graduate school’s recent career fair that was set up exclusively for the healthcare system.

“Anytime I have seen a resume from a MGH Institute student, I would always consider the individual for a position given how strong the nursing programs are and because of the positive experience with clinical groups on my unit,“ said Suzanne Algeri, the associate chief nurse for Surgical, Orthopedics, and Neurosciences at Massachusetts General Hospital and a former nursing director. “The IHP has been a great pipeline to hire new nurses over the years.”

Organized by Russ Abbatiello, the MGH Institute’s director for Career and Professional Development in the Office of Student Affairs and Services, the event featured presentations by Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Massachusetts Eye & Ear, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Spaulding Rehabilitation Network.

MGB conducted 190 interviews with students in the Class of 2022 who attended the event for positions in nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, physician assistant studies, and speech-language pathology.

“We’ve always had a strong relationship with the IHP and our move to the Navy Yard a few years ago really cemented that,” said Rob Welch, vice president for Outpatient Services at Spaulding, noting the large number of alumni working at the hospital. “That’s why we’re here because we’re looking to hire more IHP graduates.”

The fair was the latest example of the Institute’s growing role within MGB. In addition to Institute graduates working within the system, hundreds of the school’s more than 1,600 students gain valuable experience during clinical placements each semester. Earlier this year, the Institute launched a new School of Healthcare Leadership with new degrees in health administration and healthcare data analytics that will help fill critical needs within Mass General Brigham.

“With the continuing shortage of health care practitioners, the MGH Institute has the capacity to help Mass General Brigham with the workforce development pipeline, we can help the system hire the people it needs to ensure excellent patient care,” said Dr. Alex Johnson, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “We can do it while fulfilling our mission of preparing the next generation of healthcare leaders.”
 
Students spent the morning attending presentations, with many of them also getting a professional photograph taken. “It was very helpful to hear about the different hospitals and what they offer,” said occupational therapy student Allison Tokar. Added Allie Masullo, a physician assistant studies student, “It’s a great opportunity to make connections that hopefully will lead to a job.”

Chris Raymond originally was interested in working as an RN in an emergency department, but a recent clinical rotation working with cancer patients presented a potential new career path. So he went into the interviews with an open mind.  “It was good to hear about different options,” said the Bachelor of Science in Nursing student after walking out of the interview room. “It’ll help me narrow down where I’d like to work.”

If history is any indication, he and dozens of other students in the Class of 2022 will be part of that workforce development pipeline – and working at a Mass General Brigham hospital soon.