One Team. Many Voices.
Fostering a culture of respect, appreciation and understanding.
WakeMed strives to provide a welcoming and safe work and patient care environment where differences are valued and everyone is treated with respect.
A Legacy of Care and Caring
Ensuring access to high-quality care for all members of our community has been core to WakeMed's mission for more than 60 years. Memorial Hospital of Wake County – now WakeMed Raleigh Campus – opened its doors in April 1961 and is considered the first integrated hospital in North Carolina.
Over the years, WakeMed has expanded to meet the growing needs of our community and continues to nurture a culture of respect for our patients, their families and our employees.
A Message from Our CEO: Diversity & The Wake Way
Supporting Our Diverse Community
As one of the largest employers in Wake County, we are honored to employ a workforce that reflects our vibrant community and the many backgrounds and experiences that make the Triangle a great place to work and live. We recognize that your individual experiences make us stronger as a whole and we work hard to recognize and celebrate those things that make us unique.
WakeMed offers numerous programs that support a work culture where all voices can be heard and individuals are treated with respect. This includes:
- A culture rooted in the Wake Way Every-time Behaviors of Respect for People, Communication, Teamwork and Commitment & Accountability.
- Robust education opportunities to help staff build cultural competencies and meet the ever-changing needs of patients, families and colleagues.
- A Health Equity Scholars training program (Beyond Our Walls) intended to empower team members to take action to close the gap on health disparities in our community.
- Annual events to honor veterans and members of the armed services.
- Specially trained hospital chaplains within WakeMed Spiritual Care who provide respectful, interfaith care to people of all belief systems.
- Interpretation & Translation services, available 24 hours a day, to ensure patients and families can communicate effectively with their care team.
- A wide variety of meal options, prepared on-site by our Food & Nutrition Services team, to accommodate the varied tastes and cultural backgrounds of our staff, patients and families.
- Partnering with community groups and participating in events intended to demonstrate respect and appreciation for the many voices within our community.
While we are proud of our culture of respect and dignity, WakeMed continues to listen, learn and heighten our level of social consciousness while celebrating our differences.
Recognition
WakeMed has been recognized by numerous publications and organizations for our efforts around supporting a work and patient care culture rooted in respect and understanding, including:
- Triangle Business Journal Leader in Diversity Award (2024, 2023, 2022)
- Newsweek: Top Employers for Diversity (2025, 2024, 2023)
- Forbes Magazine: Best Employers for Diversity (2023, 2022)
- Lown Institute: Most Socially Responsible Hospitals – Raleigh Campus (2022)