6/9/2009

Following a rigorous evaluation process, Susquehanna Health (SH) was named an Employer of Choice? during a special ceremony among its employee service partners on June 3. This recognition is presented to organizations that are dedicated to a higher level of employee relations resulting in higher employee satisfaction levels and workforce stability. This is an exceptional honor since only 1percent of hospitals in the nation operate at the level required for the designation.

"Here at Susquehanna Health we place tremendous value on our employee service partners and our medical staff so we are deeply honored to receive this recognition. This award confirms and recognizes the efforts of our leadership teams and our dedicated employee service partners who go above and beyond to serve patients from across our region every day," says President & CEO, Steven P. Johnson. He adds, "being named an “Employer of Choice" reflects our commitment to recruiting and retaining exceptional employees and physicians and is just one step on our journey to be as good as we can be.”
To be considered for this designation SH submitted an application through the VHA that included specific financial and statistical information as well as verification of improvements in the five domains of Leadership, HR processes, Organizational Culture, Job Role and Process design and Growing the Next Generation. In addition, SH employee service partners completed workforce climate surveys. The key components of the Employer of Choice recognition include an assessment of the following areas:

• Employee climate survey results
• Budget/leadership development
• Quality measures and data
• Evidence of community support/top employer reputation
• Corporate culture
• Financial information
• Description of empowering management style
• Communication to employees

"Employers of Choice, such as Susquehanna Health are able to attract, optimize and retain top talent will enjoy a substantial tactical advantage over their competitors," says Joyce Gioia, President & CEO of Employer of Choice, Inc. "They have the skills and are empowered to respond quickly to their patients’ needs, delivering service that their patients not only expect but do so in a way that is more efficient than employers who are plagued by employee turnover. This strength allows Susquehanna Health to maintain high levels of customer service and loyalty." While presenting the award to Mr. Johnson, Ms. Gioia noted that the award was "particularly impressive because Susquehanna Health has earned this designation for two years not just one." She continued, "I’m in awe of what you have been able to accomplish. In one year you have worked to turn around certain areas such as your Emergency services. And during today’s challenging economic times, we look to opportunities like this to celebrate together."

Upon accepting the award on behalf of all SH employee service partners, Mr. Johnson said, "Today’s environment is more challenging than it has ever been. And in this environment our employee service partners rallied to help us achieve this award. We are all faced with a series of brilliant opportunities and, our employee service partners accepted this opportunity and now they stand out among the rest."