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Leaders explain why their hospitals are 'best places to work'

Hospital leaders share their employee engagement secrets

Topics: Employee Engagement, Workforce

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January 27, 2012

Ten U.S. hospitals were named to Fortune's "100 Best Companies to Work For" list, which recognizes organizations  that excel at employee engagement. Healthcare Finance News this week interviewed leaders at some of those hospitals on strategies for success. 

Listen to employees: Across the board, hospital leaders emphasized the importance of surveying employees. "We spend a lot of time asking our employees, 'What do you need to be successful?' … and commit the [necessary] time, resources and leadership,"  according to Linda Matzigkeit, the chief administrative officer at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta (#49 on the list).

Prioritize employee support: Leaders also recommended making employee engagement a top strategic goal through various initiatives. For example, they urged employers to recognize accomplishments, provide educational and career opportunities, and offer emotional and financial assistance.

• Learn how the Advisory Board is helping hospitals build strong connections with staff and boost employee engagement.

Scripps Health (#56) CEO and President Chris Van Gorder notes that "health care employees have a very difficult job today. The patients are sicker, the complexity of technology is increasing and it is emotional and frequently stressful."

Keep up the strong effort: However, becoming a top employee engager is not enough. May Anna Quinn, senior vice president of support operations and human resources at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (#39), says being a best workplace requires continuous effort. "It's hard work and easy to give up, but the people—patient and employees—are worth the effort" (Bouchard, Healthcare Finance News, 1/24).

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