The American Hospital Association's Commission on Workforce for Hospitals and Health Systems identified the workforce development related challenges facing health care institutions and issued a series of recommendations regarding how hospital leaders can build a thriving workforce. The change strategies identified by the commission were as follows: (1) foster meaningful work by transforming hospitals into modern-day organizations in which all aspects of work are designed around patients and the needs of staff to care for and support patients; (2) improve the workplace partnership by creating a culture in which hospital staff are valued, have a sustained voice in shaping institutional policies, and receive appropriate rewards and recognition for their efforts; (3) broaden the base of health care workers by designing strategies that attract and retain a diverse workforce of men and women, racial and ethnic minorities and immigrants, and older workers; (4) collaborate with others to attract new entrants to the health professions; and (5) build societal support for the public policies and resources needed to help hospitals hire and retain a qualified workforce. (Thirty-six strategic recommendations, 112 tactical recommendations, and 22 tables/figures/boxes are included. The following items are appended: the commission's charge; commissioner biographies; and lists of historically Black colleges and universities and Hispanic-serving institutions.) (MN)