The Way We Work

Earning official recognition from the Chicago Tribune in 2022, the American College of Chest Physicians prides itself on being a top workplace in the Chicagoland area. To ensure a positive work environment for all, CHEST relies heavily on principles highlighted in “The Way We Work.”

Through the below tenets, CHEST encourages employees to bring their best selves to work to put forth the best resources for our members:

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LEAD WITH INTEGRITY

Be honest, respectful, and professional. Speak with candor, and listen to understand.

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LEVERAGE PASSION

Welcome healthy debate, and assume best intentions. Win for CHEST, patients, and customers.

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HONOR THE TEAM

Value partnership and diversity. Empower one another, and hold each other accountable.

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CULTIVATE INNOVATION

Translate ideas into solutions. Use your imagination.

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HAVE SERIOUS FUN

Celebrate success. Work together, learn together, play together.

CHEST staff
CHEST staff
CHEST staff

New practices

Keeping employee safety and wellbeing at the forefront, CHEST went fully remote in March 2020 at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, but did not return to the office until March 2022. When the organization did call for a return, the plan was introduced as a hybrid solution, offering the benefits of working from home part-time while still collaborating on-site.

In 2022, CHEST was able to recruit, hire, and onboard new employees so successfully that 40 positions were filled. Ten staff members were promoted in 2022, and staff retention was 81%.

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Enabling a hybrid work environment through conference room Zoom integrations

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Encouraging the future workforce by creating CHEST’s first-ever summer internship program

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Offering mental health services to employees through Boon coaching services

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Providing security for employees by including access to Experian credit monitoring as an employee benefit

Employee engagement

CHEST staff
CHEST Staff at Stop the Bleed training

To retain quality staff in 2022, CHEST focused on rewarding employees for their contributions to the organization. The organization hosted:

  • A summer social event
  • An annual holiday party
  • Periodic “Busy Breaks” with snacks and refreshments
  • Division retreats
  • “Welcome to CHEST” event for new hires
  • Educational trainings, including “Stop the Bleed”

CHEST also encouraged staff to give back to the community by supporting holiday charity drives and additional community service activities.

LEARN MORE ABOUT WORKING AT CHEST »

CHEST Staff at Stop the Bleed training

Awards and recognition

David Schulman, MD, MPH, FCCP

In 2022, CHEST and its staff received recognition and acclaim from different avenues. 2022 CHEST President, David Schulman, MD, MPH, FCCP, awarded the coveted Presidential Citation to the CHEST staff to recognize the work and accomplishments of past years.

An excerpt from Dr. Schulman’s speech during CHEST Annual Meeting 2022:

“The group of individuals I choose to recognize this year are the women and men behind the scenes at the American College of Chest Physicians, those who make all of the magic happen. Over the last three years, these folks have continued the hard work of the College, converting many of our live educational activities to remotely presented sessions, maintaining a robust production schedule for our publications in the context of a massive increase in scientific submissions related to COVID, keeping both domestic and international membership informed and engaged, and continuing to assist with important decisions related to organizational governance and execution …. For their extraordinary service to the American College of Chest Physicians, it is my pleasure to award the 2022 Presidential Citation to the outstanding CHEST Staff.”

WATCH THE CHEST 2022 OPENING SESSION »

CHEST staff
CHEST staff
CHEST staff

Top Workplace 2022

CHEST was named one of the best places to work in the Chicagoland area by major Chicago newspaper, the Chicago Tribune. The rankings were determined based on employee satisfaction scores.

MORE ABOUT THE TOP WORKPLACES AWARD »