VCU Health System named Greater Richmond Area Employee of Choice

By Anne Buckley

RICHMOND, Va. (May 3, 2006) – The Virginia Commonwealth University Health System on Wednesday was named the Greater Richmond Area Employer of Choice at the annual All Star Awards presented by the Richmond Human Resources Management Association and the Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce.

The award recognizes that the VCU Health System, with 7,500 employees, embodies a set of principles that are honored, a culture that is well defined and most importantly, is characterized by satisfied employees. The award recognizes organizations that distinguish themselves as great employers.

The VCU Health System, which is the only academic medical center in Central Virginia, is a nationally recognized leader in human resources for its workforce development initiatives, workplace flexibility and child care practices. It twice has been recognized by Working Mother magazine as a top 100 best company for working mothers.

“Workforce development issues aren’t part of our plan – they are our plan,” said Maria Curran, vice president of Human Resources and Childcare Services. “In the competitive world of healthcare, we learned a long time ago that we’re more successful when we invest in our workforce, and make bold statements that the people who work here are very important to us.”

The VCU Health System’s commitment to workforce development includes its HOPE Initiative, which focuses on seven domains of employee work-life balance. Curran said more than 190 employees’ dependents, many of whom otherwise might not have had a chance to go to college, received tuition waivers at VCU last year. In addition, Curran said the Health System was the first in the area to offer on-site child care and its centers are open daily, serving more than 300 families.

“The VCU Health System has been caring for people for almost 170 years and we are proud of the fact that our staff treats our patients like members of their own families,” said Sheldon Retchin, M.D., VCU Health System CEO and vice president for Health Sciences. “As a result, we feel our employees are members of our family and we offer benefits and programs that help them with work-life balance.”

The award was presented at a ceremony Wednesday at the Richmond Convention Center.