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Newsweek
8 hours ago
- Business
- Newsweek
Virtua Health Exec: 'Don't See the Softness in Who I Am as a Weakness'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. When Rhonda Jordan began her career, she imagined herself in retail, climbing the ranks to become a buyer for a major brand. But a frank conversation with a district director about the racial barriers she'd face changed her course—and ultimately steered her into a career that would give her the power to break down those barriers for others. Now the chief human resources officer at Virtua Health, a New Jersey–based health system, Jordan has spent nearly three decades championing workforce development, diversity and employee well-being. Her journey to the C-suite wasn't linear, but it was driven by one constant: a deep belief in the power of people. "I'm not your traditional HR person," Jordan told Newsweek. Originally from Texas, Jordan earned her degree in marketing and pursued a career in retail management. She went into an executive development program with plans to climb the corporate ladder but eventually realized that none of the people who were receiving promotions looked like her. Rhonda Jordan is the chief human resources officer for Virtua Health, a five-hospital academic health system based in Southern New Jersey. Rhonda Jordan is the chief human resources officer for Virtua Health, a five-hospital academic health system based in Southern New Jersey. Newsweek Illustration "I went to my district director and said, 'Well, what is it going to take for me?'" Jordan recalled. "She told me that because I was Black, it was going to take me longer." That conversation dulled Jordan's outlook on the retail industry, but it didn't dull her ambition. She realized that her skill set could be transferred to recruiting—a move that ultimately brought her to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. There, a supportive female leader saw her potential, mentoring her into a leadership role. She joined Virtua in the 1990s as a director of HR, steadily rising through the ranks before becoming CHRO in 2013. Along the way, she collected not only new titles but a deeper understanding of how inclusive leadership can transform organizations. Jordan credits much of Virtua's success to a culture of inclusion modeled by its CEO, Dennis Pullin, and embraced across all levels of leadership. "Our CEO is outstanding in creating an inclusive environment, and he ensures that every voice gets heard," Jordan said. "He pauses to allow individuals to ask questions. He will call on you if he hasn't heard from you, because it's so important to hear your voice." Under Jordan's leadership—with support from others on the executive team, including Pullin—Virtua has set itself apart in a competitive health care talent market. The health system recently landed on Newsweek's ranking of America's Greatest Workplaces 2025 with a perfect five-star score. It has also been recognized by Press Ganey (a data and technology company that partners with 41,000 health care providers) for an exceptional "culture of belonging." In 2019, Virtua acquired Lourdes Health System, and the following year, it provided care throughout the challenging COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the turbulence, 88 percent of Virtua employees reported "feeling like a part of [the] organization," even when working from home. That score well outperforms Press Ganey's national average. Virtua's mission to diversify its leadership has helped foster its strong culture, according to Jordan. The system holds annual talent reviews to identify and support high-potential, diverse employees—and it shows in the numbers. Virtua has instituted bylaws to ensure that its board of trustees reflects the demographics of its patient population, and more than half of its senior leaders are women. That's a rare achievement in the health care industry. Women compose nearly 70 percent of the global health care workforce but hold less than a quarter of the sector's leadership roles. "Health care is a female-dominated profession, and it was only in some of those higher [leadership] levels that you might not have seen the females," Jordan said. "That is not the case at Virtua. We continue to foster and promote diverse talent as well as women talent." Jordan's people-first approach isn't limited to executives. One of her top priorities is ensuring that every employee sees a path forward, from emergency medical technicians (EMTs) to lab techs to janitors. That means investing in training, education partnerships and internal mobility. Virtua's workforce development director works to identify roles with high turnover or shortages. Then, the system funds employees' educations to advance them into those areas of need. Examples include a pathway from EMT to paramedic to registered nurse and a lab program that starts with phlebotomy and leads to medical laboratory science. The system also launched its own staffing agency and partnered with Rowan University to funnel nursing graduates into a bachelor's program. Additionally, Jordan leads initiatives like the career ambassador program, which matches employees with colleagues in roles they aspire to. Many participants have gone on to new jobs or promotions within the system. "When staff can see people look like them, they perform," Jordan said. "Productivity increases, retention increases—but you have to make [diverse representation] a focus and a priority for your organization." Jordan has prioritized not only professional development but colleague well-being. Through the WE Thrive initiative, Virtua offers resources spanning mental health, peer support, physical wellness activities and even emergency financial aid. The system's colleague communities continue to foster connection and mentorship, even outside of the workplace. Jordan serves as the executive ambassador for the Black and African American Colleague Community group, which recently hosted a career development session attended by more than 50 staff members. Her leadership style blends approachability with resolve, which she says has helped her succeed where some predecessors didn't. "Don't see the softness in who I am as a weakness," Jordan said. "There's strength behind that softness." She strives to be calm in chaos, consistent in demeanor and fiercely committed to listening. When she first stepped into the CHRO role, she sought out an executive coach from outside of health care—a male, former CHRO—to make sure she was equipped but didn't lose her sense of self. Despite what she was told in the early days of her career, "I did not have to change who I was," Jordan said. "You can be who you are and still continue to have an impact." Outside of work, Jordan finds joy in her family—especially her young granddaughter, who calls her "Gigi"—and in her longtime membership in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, where she has continued her commitment to service and sisterhood since college. "The sorority became my extended family when I first moved to New Jersey with no family whatsoever," she said. "I'm in health care because we serve, and I want to make sure that I'm giving back to my community. I do that through my sorority as well." Whether at Virtua Health or in her social circles, Jordan is a leader who doesn't accept limits on herself or others. It's a skill that pushes everyone in her orbit to be the best, most authentic version of themselves—and to not view those terms as mutually exclusive. Jordan will join Newsweek at this year's inaugural Women's Global Impact forum. The August 5 event, hosted at Newsweek's headquarters in New York City, will bring together some of the world's top female executives and connect them with rising stars across industries and job functions. For more information on the event, please visit the Women's Global Impact homepage.
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Nonprofits ChristianaCare, Virtua Health explore merger
This story was originally published on Healthcare Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Healthcare Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: Nonprofits ChristianaCare and Virtua Health on Wednesday signed a non-binding letter of intent to explore a merger between the northeastern health systems. The combined nonprofit regional system would span more than 600 sites of care and employ nearly 30,000 employees across 10 contiguous counties in New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania and Maryland, according to a press release. If combined, annual revenues between the two systems could tally over $6 billion. Dive Insight: Virtua and ChristianaCare will enter the due diligence process with the intent to sign definitive agreements and seek regulatory approvals for the merger. Day-to-day operations will remain unchanged during negotiations and both organizations will remain separate entities while they explore a combination, the nonprofits said. 'We've reached an important stage. Both organizations are signaling the desire to continue a thorough and strategic exploration of what would be possible if we joined two legacies of health care excellence,' said Edward Cloues, chair of Virtua Health's board of trustees, in a statement. 'Our trustees are encouraged by our initial assessments and conversations which suggest we could collectively enhance our capabilities and strengthen our outreach to the communities who depend on us.' If merged, the health systems say they would create better access to urgent, primary and behavioral healthcare, including a 'proposed maternal risk program' to support more than 15,000 births per year, according to a press release. New Jersey-based Virtua Health's portfolio consists of five hospitals, two freestanding emergency departments and 42 ambulatory surgery centers. Delaware-based ChristianaCare has three hospitals and various outpatient services in northern Delaware and surrounding areas. Both nonprofit systems have teaching relationships. Virtua is affiliated with Rowan University and partners with Penn Medicine and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia for different specialties. ChristianaCare is a teaching system with more than 260 residents and fellows. The combined entity could have over $6 billion in annual revenues. Virtua Health recorded $3.2 billion in revenue for the year ended Dec. 31, 2024, while ChristianaCare reported operating revenues of $3.1 billion for the year ended June 30, 2024. Credit agencies have rated both systems as 'stable.' S&P Global in December said it expected Virtua to continue generating 'solid operating margins and cash flow.' In July, Moody's Ratings said ChristianaCare had ample liquidity and a strong state-wide brand with robust demand for its clinical services. The merger comes as providers face significant policy shifts. The newly-enacted Big Beautiful Bill Act includes over $1 trillion in cuts to the safety-net program Medicaid. Providers are expected to log significant losses. By 2034, more than 100 rural hospitals are estimated to be at high risk of closure. In 2024, 21% of Virtua's patient service revenue came from fee-for-service Medicare and Medicaid. More than 15% of ChristianaCare's net patient service revenues in its 2024 financial year came from Medicaid. 'Our vision for this new health system — when Medicare and Medicaid are facing cuts and many hospitals are struggling to stay open — gives me hope and excitement for our future and for the health of our neighbors,' George Foutrakis, chair of ChristianaCare's board of directors, said in a release. Recommended Reading Hospital, health system M&A falls in Q2 as Medicaid cuts loom: report Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
ChristianaCare and Virtua Health plan new health system
ChristianaCare and Virtua Health have announced their intention to co-found a regional not-for-profit health system through the signing of a non-binding letter of intent (LoI). This collaboration aims to serve an area of ten contiguous counties across New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania and Maryland, US, with more than 600 care sites and around 30,000 employees. The proposed health system would focus on delivering tailored and accessible healthcare. Both organisations will introduce innovative care models, such as hospital-care-at-home, and aim to improve urgent, primary and behavioural health care access. They also share a focus on maternal health, aiming to manage over 15,000 births annually. Virtua Health president and CEO Dennis Pullin said: 'We see this as a unique opportunity to shape the future of care in this region with innovation and intention. 'Together, we aim to create an integrated regional health system built on human connection, clinical excellence and a deep commitment to all people in the communities we serve.' The two entities will now proceed with due diligence, aiming to enter into definitive agreements following negotiations and obtain necessary regulatory approvals. During this phase, both ChristianaCare and Virtua Health will maintain their separate operations without any immediate changes to patient care. ChristianaCare Health System Board chair George Foutrakis said: 'Our vision for this new health system – when Medicare and Medicaid are facing cuts and many hospitals are struggling to stay open – gives me hope and excitement for our future and for the health of our neighbours.' This announcement comes after ChristianaCare's joint venture with Atlas Healthcare Partners last year to develop a new ambulatory surgery centre network in Delaware and the mid-Atlantic region, aiming to enhance access to cost-effective and quality surgical care. "ChristianaCare and Virtua Health plan new health system" was originally created and published by Hospital Management, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Virtua Health and ChristianaCare are discussing a new nonprofit venture. What we know.
Virtua Health and ChristianaCare are in talks to co-found a new regional nonprofit health system that would provide care to more than 600 sites in New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania and Maryland. The two health care players, based in Marlton, New Jersey and Wilmington, Delaware, signed a non-binding letter of intent to explore the idea of the co-founded health system, according to a July 16 joint press release. If established, the new health system would not only serve more than 10 contiguous counties throughout the states, but would also support nearly 30,000 employees, plus 500 residents and fellows through academic programs, the press release said. More: What's happening with the Olsen Building, a landmark in Camden's Waterfront South? In addition, the prospective system includes a proposed maternal risk program to support more than 15,000 mothers and babies yearly. Dennis W. Pullin, president and chief executive officer of Virtua Health, called the signing an "exciting first step" in the release. "We see this as a unique opportunity to shape the future of care in this region with innovation and intention," Pullin said. Janice E. Nevin, president and chief executive officer of ChristianaCare shared this same sentiment. "At a time of great uncertainty in health care, ChristianaCare and Virtua Health have the foresight and courage to explore what is possible," Nevin said. The partnership is one that health network executives said has the potential to "multiply excellence" in the sector by making health care easier to navigate, more personalized and convenient, building on the expertise from both Virtua Health and ChristianaCare. The announcement also comes as U.S. President Donal Trump's latest legislation package, dubbed the "Big, Beautiful Bill," threatens health care coverage across the country with cuts to Medicaid and Medicare funding. In the press release, George N. Foutrakis, chair of the ChristianaCare Health System Board, addressed the hardships being faced within the realm of health and patient care. "Our vision for this new health system — when Medicare and Medicaid are facing cuts and many hospitals are struggling to stay open — gives me hope and excitement for our future and for the health of our neighbors," Foutrakis said. Though the co-signed letter of intention is non-binding, representatives of both networks seem hopeful in the potential of this new vision. Moving forward, the release stated, both Virtua Health and ChristianaCare will operate separately and independently while continuing to negotiate, seek regulatory approvals and sign various definitive agreements. Kaitlyn McCormick writes about trending issues and community news across South Jersey for the Courier-Post, The Daily Journal and the Burlington County Times. If you have a story she should tell, email her at kmccormick@ And subscribe to stay up to date on the news you need. This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Virtua Health, ChristianaCare in talks for new regional health system Solve the daily Crossword
Business Wire
16-07-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Excellence Multiplied: ChristianaCare and Virtua Health Sign Letter of
WILMINGTON, Del. & MARLTON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- ChristianaCare and Virtua Health have signed a non-binding letter of intent (LOI) to explore the co-founding of a regional not-for-profit health system. The combined system would provide care across more than 10 contiguous counties in New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania and Maryland, with more than 600 sites of care, nearly 30,000 employees, and academic programs supporting more than 500 residents and fellows. 'This is an exciting first step in a collaborative journey to amplify the strengths of two trusted health systems,' said Dennis W. Pullin, FACHE, president and chief executive officer of Virtua Health. 'We see this as a unique opportunity to shape the future of care in this region with innovation and intention. Together, we aim to create an integrated regional health system built on human connection, clinical excellence and a deep commitment to all people in the communities we serve.' 'The future of quality health care in America will be shaped by those who take action today to invest in, care for, and be a champion for the needs of patients,' said Janice E. Nevin, M.D., MPH, president and chief executive officer of ChristianaCare. 'At a time of great uncertainty in health care, ChristianaCare and Virtua Health have the foresight and courage to explore what is possible. We are excited to take this bold step to double down on our mission, multiply our excellence and ensure our legacy of high-quality care in our local communities for generations to come.' Excellence Multiplied The proposed partnership has the potential to multiply excellence in health care across the region by combining the teams and strengths of two highly respected organizations. Both ChristianaCare and Virtua Health are known nationally for their expertise and leadership in unique care models, including their innovative use of hospital-care-at-home and other new models of care delivery that are transforming the health care experience and bring value to our communities. The future entity would be guided by a shared vision to deliver convenient, innovative, high-quality care across the region, and to make health care more personalized and easier to navigate for patients and families. This vision includes a commitment to create more convenient access to urgent, primary, and behavioral health care and to improve the health of moms and babies through a proposed maternal risk program that would support more than 15,000 births per year. Virtua Health and ChristianaCare are committed to being leaders in educating and developing a future-ready, engaged workforce for long-term sustainability. 'This collaboration is about two vibrant organizations coming together and doing even more for a growing number of communities we serve,' said George N. Foutrakis, chair of the ChristianaCare Health System Board. 'Our vision for this new health system – when Medicare and Medicaid are facing cuts and many hospitals are struggling to stay open – gives me hope and excitement for our future and for the health of our neighbors.' 'We've reached an important stage. Both organizations are signaling the desire to continue a thorough and strategic exploration of what would be possible if we joined two legacies of health care excellence,' said Edward Cloues, chair of Virtua Health Board of Trustees. 'Our trustees are encouraged by our initial assessments and conversations which suggest we could collectively enhance our capabilities and strengthen our outreach to the communities who depend on us.' Both parties will now engage in due diligence with the intention of negotiating and signing definitive agreements and seeking regulatory approvals. High-quality patient care and day-to-day operations will remain unchanged during this period. Both ChristianaCare and Virtua Health will continue to operate as separate, independent entities while they explore this potential arrangement. About ChristianaCare Headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, ChristianaCare is one of the country's most dynamic health care organizations, centered on improving health outcomes, and innovating to make high-quality care more accessible and affordable for everyone. ChristianaCare includes an extensive network of primary care and outpatient services, home health care, urgent care centers, three hospitals (1,430 beds), a freestanding emergency department, a Level I trauma center and a Level III neonatal intensive care unit, a comprehensive stroke center and regional centers of excellence in heart and vascular care, cancer care and women's health. It also includes the pioneering Gene Editing Institute and an extensive network of community-based programs and nonprofit partners to meet both medical and non-medical needs that impact health. ChristianaCare is nationally recognized as a great place to work and is continually ranked among the nation's best hospital systems in national quality and safety ratings. ChristianaCare is a nonprofit teaching health system, serving as the Delaware Branch Campus of the Sidney Kimmel Medical School of Thomas Jefferson University and the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, with more than 260 residents and fellows and a physician network with more than 1,300 providers. With its groundbreaking Center for Virtual Health and a focus on population health and value-based care, ChristianaCare is shaping the future of health care. About Virtua Health Marlton, N.J.-based Virtua Health is a not-for-profit, academic health system dedicated to enhancing lives and building communities of wellness through a comprehensive range of advanced, accessible, trusted, and personalized health care services. Virtua's 15,000 colleagues, including 3,000 affiliated doctors and clinicians, deliver high-quality tertiary care, encompassing renowned cardiology, neurosciences, and transplant programs, alongside a robust portfolio of community-based offerings. Its extensive network includes five hospitals (1,492 beds), two freestanding emergency departments, 42 ambulatory surgery centers, 38 primary care locations, 30 physical therapy and rehabilitation practices, and over 400 additional sites, plus innovative outreach programs like the "Eat Well" food access initiative. Virtua is academically affiliated with Rowan University, spearheading research, innovation, and immersive education at the Virtua Health College of Medicine & Life Sciences of Rowan University. It also partners with Penn Medicine for cancer and neuroscience, and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia for pediatrics. Nationally recognized for its engaged workforce, Virtua is consistently named a "best place to work" by Newsweek, Modern Healthcare, and Becker's Hospital Review, and has been listed among America's Best Employers by Forbes for the past six years. Virtua has also earned continual national recognition for patient experience, consumer engagement, and brand loyalty.
