Spectrum Health Systems: Extending the mission to the future

CEO Chuck Faris nudged managers toward a “big picture” approach to managing Spectrum staff.

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By Emily Micucci

Led by longtime CEO Chuck Faris, the senior management team at Spectrum Health Systems Inc. of Worcester launched an initiative two years ago designed to encourage leadership while boosting retention and career satisfaction.

Faris, who has worked at Spectrum for more than 40 years, was seeking to engender his longstanding commitment to the organization, according to Andrew Strecker, development associate at Spectrum. He said Faris wondered, “How do we continue with the legacy of this organization?”

With help from Bergeron Associates, a leadership development company, the growing addiction treatment services provider has instituted systems that provide clear paths toward career advancement, assist managers with succession planning, and focus on staff retention.

This new approach encourages Spectrum managers to become leaders and take a “big-picture” approach to managing their staffs, said Stacy Flanagan, vice president of human resources.

Spectrum frequently promotes from within and makes lateral transfers between departments to ensure employees fulfill their potential. Spectrum also emphasizes succession management planning to minimize business disruptions due to position vacancies.

In addition, Spectrum offers certification programs to clinical employees who want to specialize in a particular treatment area. For example, in partnership with Worcester State University, Spectrum gives employees the chance to complete an 18-month program that makes them eligible for Licensed Drug and Alcohol Counselor (LADC) and Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor (CDAC) certification, at no cost to the employee. Those wishing to pursue further education also benefit from full tuition reimbursement.

Spectrum has historically benefitted from stable leadership among senior management, with several administrators boasting tenures of 20 years or more. The hope is that the newest professional development efforts will build on that.

“Employees want to feel valued. They want to feel they're in a place where they're respected, and they're making a difference for the clients,” Flanagan said.