HCA Virginia's black colleague network providing a meaningful platform for growing membership

After years as a physical therapist with HCA Virginia, Omar Magee was inspired to pursue healthcare leadership as the next step on his journey to make a meaningful impact.

After carving out time to earn a master’s degree in health administration, Magee last year became an administrative resident at Chippenham Hospital, an immersive, hands-on role providing an invaluable education in hospital operations.

Part of Magee’s inspiration was the Black Colleague Network, which is one of many community platforms supported by HCA Healthcare to enable colleagues to convene around commonalities or experiences and learn from others. Across the enterprise, more than 2,300 HCA colleagues are members of one of more networks ranging from Hispanic/Latinx to military veterans.

“The Black Colleague Network holds a special place in my heart and has been my opportunity to ‘Care like Family’ for my fellow colleagues,” Magee said. “The network has played an integral role in my growth as an employee professionally and in my personal life.”

Founded in 2022, Virginia’s Black Colleague Network has grown significantly in its first four years. It currently has more than 230 members and grew by 22% last year.

The network has four pillars — community, professional development, recruiting and innovation — that offer colleagues an opportunity to leverage their voices, experiences and skills to drive meaningful change.

Members participate and drive community and colleague engagement initiatives throughout the year, including Black History Month events, community service events in partnership with nonprofit organizations and professional development opportunities.

The network’s signature event is its annual “Block Party” health fair, which provides community education on diseases and other social determinants of health that have historically had a high impact on Black communities.

This year, Magee is serving as the network’s chair, leading the effort that he has gained so much from being a part of.

“As I have grown as a leader within the network, my career has also grown,” he said. “I look forward to providing those same opportunities as the chair of the network to all our members going forward.”