VCU news

By Malorie Burkett and Carrie Atherton

The National Association for Female Executives, NAFE, has named the Virginia Commonwealth University Health System to the 2011 NAFE Top 50 Companies and 10 Nonprofits for Executive Women.

This is the fifth time the VCUHS has been named a NAFE Top Company. The list recognizes organizations whose policies and practices encourage women’s advancement and whose numbers at the highest levels of leadership demonstrate that commitment.

The recognition stems from the VCU Health System’s commitment to the advancement of women through training and educational programs that result in leadership roles.

"We are so proud to have been recognized by NAFE for a fifth time. This is certainly a highlight for us in a year that was filled with excitement, including our partnership that created Children's Hospital of Richmond," said Maria A. Curran, vice president of Human Resources and Family Services and chief human resources officer, VCU Health System. “Through this alliance, we welcomed three new female executives to our ranks, including Leslie Wyatt, senior vice president, Children’s Hospital of Richmond.

“The benefits of bringing these exceptional women on board will be felt by our patients, employees, medical residents, students and faculty," Curran said.

This year marks an important milestone as the 2011 NAFE Top Companies list shows that women executives run 23 percent of operations that generate more than $1 billion in revenue.

“Women have long struggled to reach the highest ranks in a male-dominated business environment, but with the growing profitability of companies with women in the top ranks, that is changing,” said Dr. Betty Spence, NAFE president. “Today, employers reward the skills that women bring and demand them of men, as well.”

“NAFE applauds the VCU Health System for once again making the list of the NAFE Top Nonprofits," said Spence. “They offer an environment where women have exceptional opportunities to succeed.”

Some of the VCU Health System’s additional efforts to help women advance professionally include its education assistance program for employees and dependents, online GRE prep courses and professional development workshops.

The 2011 NAFE Top Companies application includes 225 questions on topics such as female representation, hiring, attrition and promotion rates; access and usage of key retention and advancement programs such as mentoring, executive coaching, networking and sponsorship; company culture; and manager training and accountability.

To be considered for the NAFE Top Companies for Executive Women, companies must have a minimum of two women on their board of directors as well as at least 500 employees in the United States.