Document Type
Brief Report
Abstract
Retention and morale in health care are strategic imperatives that directly influence patient care, quality outcomes and operational stability. At The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, we found a significant gap in the career advancement opportunities for our clinical and administrative staff. Employees lacked visibility into career growth pathways, leaving them disengaged and increasing the overall turnover rate. In response, our division launched a structured, transparent Career Mobility Model to provide employees with the clarity and tools needed for advancement. This model integrates career mapping, shadowing programs, and leader-led career conversations, all of which led to measurable gains in engagement and retention. This paper outlines the rationale, methods, outcomes, and recommendations for replication in other health care organizations.
Grants and Funding
This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Hughes T, Caudle A, Ghafar R, Freudensprung B, Vasquez P. Beyond Boundaries: A Model for Boosting Staff Retention and Morale Through Career Mobility. Advances in Cancer Education and Quality Improvement. 2026; 2(1).