A substantial $1 million donation from the KeyBank Foundation aims to enhance recruitment, retention, and workforce development at Albany Medical Center. The funds will support the development of the LEAP program—Leading Employees to Advancement and em(P)owerment—which focuses on several key areas.
The initiative encompasses three central components. Firstly, career mapping and coaching will be introduced, where a career coach assists entry and mid-level employees in identifying professional aspirations and training opportunities that foster career growth. Secondly, the program offers financial support for employees pursuing a nursing degree through Albany Med’s Grow Our Own program. Thirdly, it aims to eliminate barriers for entry-level employees facing financial or language challenges, providing help to those seeking a GED diploma or English as a second language.
“KeyBank is celebrating our bicentennial, and our relationship with Albany Medical Center dates back nearly as far,” stated Fran O’Rourke, Capital Region President of KeyBank. He emphasized the significance of the support, saying, “To support this program, which builds workforce by creating opportunities for employees to have access to the resources needed to advance their careers, is a great way to honor our heritage, impact lives, and continue to make a difference in the community where we were founded.”
Eric Fiala, CEO of KeyBank Foundation, noted, “KeyBank Foundation is committed to supporting organizations and programs that prepare individuals for thriving futures. Albany Medical Center’s LEAP program does just this. It is a transformative workforce development program that changes lives and aligns perfectly with our philanthropic priorities of neighbors, education, and workforce.”
Albany Med Health System, with over 10,000 employees who represent a diverse demographic and fulfill a wide array of roles, serves as the largest private employer in the region. Dennis P. McKenna, MD, President and CEO of Albany Med Health System, highlighted the longstanding partnership between the two organizations: “KeyBank and Albany Med have grown together from the earliest days of both organizations. When our college was formed in 1839, KeyBank was known as the Commercial Bank of Albany, and it was one of our first partners.”
Albany Med continues to benefit from KeyBank’s support, which has amounted to more than $3.5 million since 1981. This support has facilitated various projects, including renovations and constructions, with the Grow Our Own program as one notable example.
Rebecca Whiting, an interim nurse manager at Albany Medical Center, shared her experience as a participant in the Grow Our Own program, acknowledging its impact: “Grow Our Own allowed me the ability to go to work while going to school and to have paid time off to study. It helped me find a way to succeed while balancing work, school, and life. This support will have a lasting impact on many.”
