VCU Health System recognized for women’s advancement, quality of work environment

By Malorie Burkett

For the second consecutive year, the National Association for Female Executives, NAFE, has named the Virginia Commonwealth University Health System one of five top nonprofits in the country.

In addition, the VCU Health System has been named to the 2008 Honor Roll by the Center for Companies that Care, making the VCU Health System one of 41 companies nationwide selected for the quality of its work environment.

NAFE's mission is to encourage women's advancement by honoring companies that demonstrate strong numbers of women in top positions and in the pipeline.

"We know that in the competitive marketplace for healthcare, we are challenged every day to attract and retain the very best employees -- from M.D.s and nurses and other allied health professionals to administrators and support staff," said Maria Curran, VCU Health System vice president for Human Resources and Family Care. "We work hard to establish a culture that fosters flexibility and career advancement."

To be named to the NAFE Top Companies for Executive Women, companies with a minimum of two women on the board completed a comprehensive application that focused on the number of women in senior ranks, compared to men and to the company population. This application included questions about the programs and policies which support women's advancement.

Companies that Care Honor Roll recipients are selected for their commitment to elevating the quality of the work environment for their employees and the quality of life for the people in the community as well as adhering to the 10 Characteristics of a "Company that Cares."

According to Curran, a culture that values diversity and work-life balance, high percentage of females in leadership roles, numerous developmental and leadership training programs, family friendly programs and benefits and flexibility to achieve professional and personal goals are just some of the contributing factors to the VCU Health System's being recognized for these honors.

In 2007, the VCU Health System implemented the licensure of the Adult Day Program; contributed $3 million to employees and their dependents' education; and expanded its Employee Assistance Program, providing a more streamlined process and adding more clinicians.

Those named to the 2008 Honor Roll feature large, medium and small public and private for-profit and not-for-profit U.S.-based companies in diverse industries across 18 states.

Founded in 1972, The National Association for Female Executives is the largest women's professional and business owners' association in the country. NAFE is part of Working Mother Media, which also operates Working Mother magazine and the annual 100 Best WorkLife Conference.

The Center for Companies that Care is dedicated to enhancing the well-being of employees and communities.

"Our employees are proud of our numerous employer of choice awards because they validate the efforts we make to provide them with the very best family friendly benefits and programs."