At UPMC, we’re proud to have a diverse workforce made up of team members from many different backgrounds and career paths. For some, this includes service in the U.S. Armed Forces. Whether in active duty or on a part-time basis, members of the military make huge sacrifices by giving up their time, safety, and security to serve their nation. But for some veterans, the transition from the military to the private sector (and sometimes back again) can be challenging.
We recognize that veterans bring incredible and unique contributions to our workforce, and we’re so grateful for those who are a part of our own team. In our communities and at UPMC, we’re committed to helping veterans thrive in their post-military careers.
Meet Amanda
When she was just 18 years old, Amanda G. enlisted in the Army. Amanda spent eight years as a police officer in the Army Reserve, and after finishing her first deployment, she returned home and decided to pursue her interest in the clinical field by going to nursing school. Amanda was hired at UPMC as a nurse – but shortly after being hired, she found out she was about to be sent out on her second deployment.
Unsure of what would happen to her new role, Amanda informed the Human Resources team at UPMC of her deployment, and she was relieved to find out that her job would be held for her while she was deployed.
“The process was very easy for them to hold my position while I was away. I found out the paperwork I needed to submit. The boss of the transportation department was very helpful, and I didn’t have any issues.”
Not only was Amanda’s HR department supportive of her deployment, but she was moved by the kindness she received from her coworkers.
“From my time in a previous role as a transporter, I knew people from departments all over the hospital because I had transported patients to all those areas. In fact, one of the physical therapy aides I had met sent me care packages while I was deployed, filled with stuff from women in the unit.”
Amanda went out on her deployment to Afghanistan and returned six months later to continue her work as a Professional Staff Nurse with UPMC.
Recruiting and Empowering Our Veterans
It’s not just our hospitals that provide such amazing support for our veterans; UPMC supports veterans and reservists across our workforce, helping them succeed in both their military careers and their civilian lives.
Stephany H. works as the Chief Operating Officer, Commercial Products with UPMC Health Plan. She is also a captain in the Navy Reserve. According to Stephany, “During both of my deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq, I had the support of the Health Plan, both prior to and in my transition back to the civilian world and back to work as well. They were terrific all–around in supporting me in everything that I needed.”
UPMC was the first company in Western Pennsylvania to become a member of the Veteran Jobs Mission Coalition, a group of over 200 companies dedicated to hiring 100,000 veterans by 2020. As a member, UPMC reports veteran hires on a quarterly basis, attends meetings, and shares best practices relating to veteran employment initiatives. Since 2011, the Coalition has collectively hired over one million veterans and military spouses, far exceeding the original goal.
In 2021, UPMC launched the Pathways for Veterans program to support veteran hiring by providing a personalized approach to the UPMC job search and application process. Today, the Pathways for Veterans team provides concierge-style job search assistance to members of the military community, including spouses and partners, who are looking for a meaningful opportunity. Through the Pathways for Veterans program, UPMC receives 300-400 applications from veterans each month.
Since 2024, UPMC has remained a nationwide Top 10 Military Friendly Employer and Military Spouse Friendly Employer — recognition given to organizations that display a commitment to serving the military and veteran community, from hiring and career advancement to customer service and charitable investment.
Additionally, UPMC Health Plan sponsors Leadership Pittsburgh, an organization that recognizes the largely untapped leadership potential of newly returned veterans and aims to leverage their skills and experiences by exposing them to new leadership networks and opportunities for service to the community. Their programs and courses allow veterans to develop a greater understanding of the Pittsburgh region, meet with business and community leaders, and build successful careers post-military service.
Strength, commitment, passion, and loyalty are huge assets to our country, and at UPMC, our veterans bring that and so much more to our team of Life Changers. We’re committed to partnering with veterans before, during, and after their service to maximize their career potential and help them to thrive in both military and civilian life.
Interested in learning more?
As a Military Friendly employer, UPMC is dedicated to supporting veterans and their families, from hiring, to retention and advancement, to putting employee development programs in place to help veterans reach their career goals.
