Pros
1. Meaningful mission serving Baltimore communities
2. Dedicated and compassionate frontline staff
3. Opportunities to develop a broad range of skills due to the volume of work
Cons
I spent years being loyal to this organization because I genuinely believed in its mission and the communities it serves. Unfortunately, the longer I stayed, the clearer it became that leadership's words and actions often did not align.
The biggest issue is a lack of effective leadership. Decisions frequently feel disconnected from the realities staff face every day. Employees are expected to take on increasing responsibilities, absorb additional work, and solve organizational challenges without the resources, staffing, compensation, or support needed to be successful. At a time when many healthcare workers were already struggling financially, employee health insurance premiums increased, making healthcare less affordable for some of the very people providing it.
In my role, I took on responsibilities far beyond my job description and essentially managed an entire organizational function with little support. Despite the significant impact of that work, recognition, investment, and meaningful opportunities for professional growth were limited. Leadership often appeared unaware of the full scope of work being performed by staff while continuing to add new expectations.
Communication is frequently one-directional. Employee concerns may be acknowledged, but meaningful action rarely follows. There is a culture where loyalty, flexibility, and sacrifice are expected from employees, yet the organization does not consistently demonstrate that same commitment to its workforce.
The mission itself is meaningful, and there are many hardworking, compassionate employees who genuinely care about patients and the community. They are the reason the organization continues to function despite ongoing challenges. The people are this organization's greatest strength. Unfortunately, too often they are treated as an unlimited resource rather than its most valuable asset.