VCU Health System Named a 2009 Working Mother 100 Best Company by Working Mother Magazine

By Malorie Burkett

The Virginia Commonwealth University Health System was named today as one of the nation’s 100 best companies of 2009 for working mothers by Working Mother magazine.

This marks the fifth time the VCU Health System has received this honor, which recognizes companies for dedication to family-friendly benefits, support and wellness opportunities and financial assistance programs like tuition reimbursement and retirement planning.

"The VCU Health System remains committed to its dedicated and talented workforce and puts this in action with an impressive and generous package of benefits and programs that are designed to help our employees be their best at home and at work," said Dr. Sheldon Retchin, vice president of VCU Health Sciences and CEO of the VCU Health System. "If we can give our employees peace of mind knowing that their families are cared for and that their educational pursuits are supported, they will be able to focus on providing superior patient care.”

Among its numerous initiatives, the VCU Health System gained recognition in several areas, including its dedication to the advancement of women. Females make up 80 percent of the VCU Health System’s workforce and nine of 16, or 56 percent, of its top executives are women, up from 50 percent last year. 

For female employees who are not in management, the VCU Health System has established an infrastructure to help them excel and advance through various educational opportunities, such as continuing education and leadership programs.

Working Mother also recognized the VCU Health System’s innovative flexible work programs, enhanced paternity and maternity leave policies, leave share, and full pay for employees in active military service.

Under the umbrella of the Family Care Center, the VCU Health System childcare and adult care programs provide care in a safe and nurturing environment. Accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, VCUHS onsite daycare services accept children as young as six weeks. Because the facility is on site, employees can visit anytime during the day and they can commute with their children, giving them additional quality time.

The fully licensed, on-site adult day services program is for adult dependents of employees. VCUHS was the first organization in the region that is not in the primary business of eldercare to offer this service to employees. And because the adult day program is located in the same building as the child care center, intergenerational activities like baking, reading and art are offered whenever it is appropriate.

Also recognized is the VCUHS Employer Assisted Housing Program, which provides employees with home-buying education, from pre-purchase through post-purchase, and includes the opportunity for down payment assistance of up to $7,500.

"Despite fiscal challenges, VCU Health System not only maintained our level of work/life programs and benefits -- without cutting a single one -- we even added some that were designed to help employees who may have been feeling especially stretched," said Maria Curran, vice president of human resources for the VCU Health System.

“We proudly accept recognition as a Working Mother magazine’s Top 100 Best Companies for 2009,” she said. “These distinctions affirm that we are doing the right things for the right reasons and, when measured against stringent standards locally and nationally, we are clearing the path that others will follow.”

Companies were selected for the 2009 Working Mother 100 Best Companies based on an extensive application with more than 500 questions on workforce issues, compensation, child care, flexibility programs, leave policies and more.  It also surveys the usage, availability and tracking of programs, as well as the accountability of managers who oversee them.  

Seven areas were measured and scored, including workforce profile, benefits, women’s issues and advancement, child care, flexible work, parental leave and company culture. For this year’s 100 Best, particular weight was given to benefits, flexibility and parental leave.

The VCU Health System, which previously earned this recognition from Working Mother in 2004, 2005, 2007 and 2008, is the governing body for the hospitals and clinics of VCU as well as MCV Physicians and the Virginia Premier Medicaid HMO. The VCU Health System is designated a Magnet institution, the highest honor and level of recognition awarded for nursing excellence in national and international health care.

Founded in 1979, Working Mother magazine reaches nearly 3 million readers and is the only national magazine for career-committed mothers. The complete list of the Working Mother 100 Best Companies can be found at www.workingmother.com.