Annual High School Hiring Blitz highlight of AtlantiCare DE&I Summit

For Immediate Release: May 25, 2023

Event focuses on community health and wellness

“Principles of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging must be implemented and supported from the top down and the bottom up” at organizations. This was among the advice AtlantiCare DE&I Summit keynote speaker Chief Diversity Officer, State of New Jersey, and Director of the Office of Diversity & Inclusion for the State Department of the Treasury Candice M. Alfonso, Esq., shared May 25.

AtlantiCare held the summit for its team, state and local leaders, and community partners at its Medical Arts Pavilion in Atlantic City.

“Achieving health equity means ensuring every person has a voice and gets the care and resources they need and deserve,” said AtlantiCare Assistant Vice President of DE&I Christian Ragland, MPA. “We all play a role.”

Ragland and AtlantiCare team members shared details about various community health and wellness initiatives AtlantiCare is leading. All aimed at creating equity in healthcare, they include its LGBTQ+ Health Center, community health fairs and fitness events, and other services. AtlantiCare highlighted neighborhood beautification and enhancement projects including the Atlantic City Midtown Revitalization Project. Ragland noted AtlantiCare’s 11 Employee Resource Group’s contributions to the work. Watch a video about these programs.

New Jersey Senator Vincent Polistina, Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr., and Pleasantville Mayor Judy Ward shared the value of services AtlantiCare offers the community within and beyond its facilities.

A feature of the summit was the second annual AtlantiCare High School Hiring Blitz recognition. Summit attendees applauded seniors of Atlantic City and Oakcrest High schools to whom AtlantiCare has extended entry level jobs upon their graduation. It’s also offering positions to students of Buena Regional, Absegami, and Cedar Creek High schools. They’ll work in various departments and programs at AtlantiCare, including Patient Access, Nursing Support, Food and Nutrition Services, Security, and AtlantiCare Kids. “The Blitz is one of many ways we enhance the diversity of our team,” said Ragland.

“It’s great that AtlantiCare is reaching back out into the community,” said Saniyah Muhammed, Atlantic City High School senior, who will be a patient access associate. “It means a lot to be a part of the community and to help those who will be like me.”

“My goal is to become a physician associate and to study at Rutgers University,” explained Atlantic City High School senior Sunita Bhowmik. “I’m grateful for this opportunity and to be welcomed into such an amazing environment.”

As part of its commitment to hiring diverse vendors, AtlantiCare hired the Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City to provide lunch service to summit attendees – to support the club financially and give its members experience in working in the community.

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AtlantiCare is an integrated healthcare system based in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, whose more than 6,000 staff, providers and volunteers serve the community in more than 100 locations in Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May and Ocean counties of southern New Jersey. Its vision of building healthy communities together drives its mission of making a difference in health and healing, one person at a time, through caring and trusting relationships. A Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award winner, AtlantiCare was also included in Modern Healthcare’s Best Places to Work. AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center was the 105th hospital in the nation to attain the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet™ designation in 2004 and earned redesignation in 2008, 2013, 2018, and 2023. Learn more at atlanticare.org or


1-888-569-1000.