Dennis Fisher, Baptist Memphis’ human resources director; Josh Lowery, Baptist Booneville’s HR director; Vanessa Burns, corporate HR manager; and Holly Turner, Baptist Memphis’ HR manager, recently became Society of Human Resource Management Senior Certified Professionals.
“This credential is the most strategic HR credential offered today,” said Lowery. “It demonstrates all the qualities and competencies an HR professional should possess in today’s strategic business world.”
According to SHRM, earning the SCP certification indicates that members have the competencies, knowledge and skills to perform effectively in today’s ever-changing workplace.
“Individuals who possess the behavioral competencies measured by the certification exam positively impact business outcomes,” said Turner. “In addition, the continuing education that is required to maintain certification helps to broaden our collective knowledge and ability to respond to the issues facing employers today.”
HR professionals who earned the SCP certification had to hold the Senior Professional in Human Resources credential. This certification required additional research and education to pass a very comprehensive examination.
“One of the attributes that should reside in an HR leader is the call to be a life-long learner,” said Fisher. “We as HR leaders felt this was a way to role model and promote our philosophy of continuous self-development.”
Burns, who also serves as president of SHRM’s Memphis chapter, earned the new certification at the society’s annual Volunteer Leaders’ Summit, which she was personally invited to attend.
“I am so proud to be a part of this organization, with all of its great accomplishments,” said Burns. “I have been a member of SHRM-Memphis for over 10 years. My initial intent was to get in and meet a few people, but I have done much more than that. I have created networks, built friendships and developed professionally.”
Founded in 1948, SHRM is the world’s largest HR membership organization devoted to human resource management. Representing more than 282,000 members in more than 160 countries, the society is the leading provider of resources to serve the needs of HR professionals and advance the professional practice of human resource management. SHRM has more than 575 affiliated chapters in the United States and subsidiary offices in China, India and the United Arab Emirates.