Appreciating the Value of Employer Partnerships
Across the United States, WGU partners with hundreds of organizations to help increase learning opportunities for every individual.
In the Southeast, WGU is honored to have Grady Health System in Atlanta as a valued employer partner, a special relationship that creates opportunities for staff upskilling and career advancement. More than 100 WGU graduates have worked at Grady, with even more enrolled as current students.
Founded in 1892, Grady’s mission is to improve the health of its community by providing compassionate, high-quality and equitable care to everyone who walks through its doors — regardless of background or ability to pay. For over 130 years, Grady Health System has been a cornerstone of care in Atlanta, serving as one of the nation’s most vital safety-net healthcare systems.
With nearly 1,000 beds, Grady is consistently ranked among the largest public hospitals in the United States and serves patients throughout Georgia and the Southeast.
In 2025, Grady’s Emergency Department was honored with the prestigious Emergency Nurses Association Lantern Award, one of the highest recognitions in emergency nursing nationally.
According to Ashley W. Gresham, MSN, RN, CCRN, Grady’s vice president of emergency services, WGU prepares workers for real-world scenarios. “WGU’s emphasis on applied competencies, evidence-based practice, leadership development and measurable outcomes aligns directly with what we expect from healthcare professionals at the bedside and in executive roles,” she says. “I’m proud of the many WGU-prepared nurses and leaders who serve within our Emergency Services Division.”
A Partnership Built on Relationships and Mission Alignment
At the heart of the partnership is the personal attention that WGU Senior Partner Success Manager Rick Brown provides to Grady. Gresham says Brown has taken the time to truly understand Grady’s mission, its patient population, and the demands placed on clinical teams.
“He doesn’t approach conversations with a one-size-fits-all solution,” she states. “Instead, he listens first — asking thoughtful questions about staffing gaps, leadership pipelines, certification goals, and long-term workforce strategy. We need partners who understand urgency, complexity and the realities of frontline care. Rick does.”
Partnering Nationwide to Meet Workforce Needs
WGU’s partner success managers understand that filling workforce needs isn’t just about recruitment — it’s about development, sustainability and building internal pipelines. At Grady, Brown is proactive and solutions-oriented, whether it’s helping a nurse pursue a BSN, supporting a manager entering a master’s program, or aligning educational resources with Grady’s strategic initiatives.
Gresham adds, “Most importantly, Rick follows through. If he commits to something, it gets done. In healthcare leadership, that level of consistency builds trust — and trust builds long-term partnership.” Gresham values the partnership and says she would absolutely hire more WGU graduates and encourage her team to further their education at WGU.
Learn more about partnership solutions and how to partner with WGU on our website.
