Officials at Piedmont Healthcare announced they are raising the starting wage for employees at Piedmont Columbus Regional to $11 per hour, an amount that exceeds the federal minimum wage by more than 50 percent.
 
More than 80 current team members will benefit from the increase. Going forward, new employees will earn at least $11 per hour.
 
“Part of Piedmont’s strategic framework is to be an employer of choice for a top-tier and diverse work force,” Piedmont Healthcare CEO Kevin Brown said. “As a nonprofit health system, it is important to us to take care of the employees who play a vital role in helping us fulfill our purpose, caring for our communities. This step will help us in our efforts to improve quality by retaining our valued employees.”
 
The increase is the latest in a series of moves by Piedmont Healthcare that have served as a boost to the local economy. When Columbus Regional Health joined the Piedmont system on March 1, 2018, Piedmont pledged to invest $280 million in capital expenditures over eight years. Piedmont also will spend more than $30 million to install its electronic medical records system, Epic, at Piedmont Columbus Regional, a process that will go live later this year.
 
Piedmont Columbus CEO Scott Hill said the first 10 months of Piedmont leadership are paying dividends for the local community.
 
“Our careful search for a new partner took more than three years and moves like these validate what a great leader Piedmont is for our hospital and our community,” Hill said. “Every day I see the positive impact that our employees make on patients and visitors, so it is gratifying to see them rewarded for their dedication and hard work.”