Case Study: Grady Health System boosts employee engagement (Press Ganey Overall Commitment 9th → 46th) with O.C. Tanner recognition solutions

Grady - Customer Case Study

Grady Health System, founded in 1892 and one of the nation’s largest safety‑net academic health systems and Georgia’s premier level‑1 trauma center, faced a serious employee engagement crisis in 2012. After years of financial strain and leadership turnover, staff reported low trust in leadership, poor communication, lack of pride and recognition, and rising turnover, leaving Grady’s overall commitment well below the healthcare average.

Grady partnered with O.C. Tanner to launch a comprehensive recognition program—everyday thank‑you cards and buttons, peer‑nominated awards presented publicly, service celebrations starting at year one, leader training, and a corps of employee ambassadors. In 12 months the program produced 21,062 appreciation moments, 86% of employees received recognition, and Grady’s Press Ganey Overall Commitment percentile rose from the 9th to the 46th percentile, with recognition emerging as one of the most improved engagement items.

Grady

Larry A. Callahan

Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer