Employed by one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For*? (according to Fortune magazine`s annual list)
March 2002
No. 43
Griffin Hospital was named as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For for the third consecutive year, a feat no other hospital has achieved. Griffin ranked 43rd on the 2002 list it’s highest ranking yet. Griffin ranked 70 last year and 54 in 2000. Cath Lab Digest asked if someone from Griffin’s cardiology department (the hospital doesn’t have a cardiac cath lab) could offer their opinion on Griffin’s success.
Griffin Hospital’s unique Planetree philosophy of care, as well as its open and honest management style, are important reasons that resulted in our being chosen as a Fortune 100 best place to work. The Planetree philosophy, which includes an emphasis on patient education, comfort and caring, has resulted in very high patient satisfaction ratings. When our patients are happy, the staff is also happy. We have a unique physical plant, which includes carpeting, indirect lighting, wood trimmings, and results in a pleasant environment for both patients and staff.
Our ‘outside corridor’ family area, which surrounds the Critical Care Unit, provides a private, pleasant space for families to wait, and even sleep over, directly outside their loved one's room. Each room has access from the outside waiting space, as well as from the nursing area, so families never have to walk through the Unit itself, and are spared viewing the other patients. This is much easier for the staff to deal with, as they have control over the family’s access to the patient. Visiting hours are not limited, however, and the families have 24-hour access, except during procedures, etc.
All employees of this acute-care hospital attend the company’s retreats and are encouraged to make suggestions 90% reported being ‘treated as a full member here regardless of my position.’1
Finally, Griffin has a number of unique services not offered by surrounding larger hospitals, such as EECP (Enhanced External CounterPulsation) it is the only such facility in the state and a wound care center, including two hyperbaric chambers. (I should note that we don’t actually have a cath lab at Griffin, although we have been trying hard to convince the state to let us build one. Connecticut is a heavily regulated state.) Having such facilities draws patients from all over the area, and makes Griffin a very desirable place to work and practice medicine. I have been at Griffin for over 25 years, and have seen it grow into a top-flight, innovative community hospital. I wouldn’t work anywhere else.
Kenneth V. Schwartz, MD
Chief, Section of Cardiology, Vice President, Medical Affairs
Griffin Hospital, Derby, Connecticut
www.griffinhealth.com
No. 10
Baptist Hospital (Pensacola, Florida) is part of the Baptist Health Care Network, which placed 10th on Fortune’s list of America’s 100 Best Places to Work.
Larry Jacks has been with Baptist Hospital for six years. He has spent 22 years in health care, beginning his career as a paramedic in another state. He also has worked in intensive care.
When Larry moved to Pensacola in 1994, he interviewed at the area’s three major hospitals. Baptist Hospital had the best environment even then. Everybody was very friendly. I found Baptist a very pleasant place to work. He was hired in August 1995.
Referring to Baptist Health Care’s corporate values (integrity, vision, innovation, superior service, stewardship and teamwork), Larry says, We are the values, the people here. Instead of just living the values, we became the values.
Other hospitals imitate policies here. One rule: Top execs must stop to pick up trash. Ongoing employee-led initiatives have brought turnover among registered nurses down to 13% (from 30% in 1996).2
In the cath lab itself, more than any area, we have distinct professions working together, but all are capable of being leaders. We have a good mix of professions RNs, respiratory therapists, RCISs (my profession) and each person working here is capable of leadership. In a code situation, we work together in a fluid, non-stop, non-bump way. Everybody does what needs to be done. We work like pieces of a puzzle, fitting together perfectly.
We’re on the leading edge of technology. We’re able to stand next to a cardiologist and he gives weight to what you say. That means a lot to me.
Larry Jacks, RCIS
Baptist Hospital, Pensacola, Florida
www.baptisthealthcare.org
No. 18
Fortune magazine just named us #18 in their list of the 100 Best Places to Work in America. That didn’t surprise me. The people here are caring, honest, compassionate with their patients and with each co-worker. The benefits given to the employees are truly incredible! One unique thing that I really like is that the physicians and administration respect and listen to each of us I am part of the decision-making.
[East Alabama Medical Center]’s employees took home bonuses in 2001 of $1,265 to $1,915. They also got a new 40,000-square-foot fitness center and day care for their children and grandchildren.2
Terry, the president, talks to me each day when he makes his rounds. Being a Top 100 Heart Program (named by Solucient for the past three years) in the nation makes me proud to be a part of this team. But more than being proud for our clinical accomplishments
I simply like my job.
Darlene Langford, RT, CVT, Cardiac Cath Lab
East Alabama Medical Center, Opelika, Alabama
www.eamc.org
No. 80
This is the third time in four years that Guidant has been named on Fortune’s 100 Best Places to Work list.
Rosemary Conlon has been a sales representative for 10 years at Guidant Corporation and has worked very closely with interventional cardiologists and nurses in the cardiac cath lab. She is now a regional manager at Guidant.
This medical device manufacturer lures talented foreigners through its immigration sponsorship program. Workers get $7,000 in annual tuition reimbursement, and frequent stock option grants.3
I’ve been with Guidant over 12 1/2 years. First as an account manager and now as regional manager. It is very exciting to have an outside organization like Fortune recognize Guidant as an outstanding place to work. All of us here at Guidant have known this for years. The corporate culture here is phenomenal we are recognized as individuals for all the different skills and value we bring to the organization. Even though we have experienced tremendous growth over the last several years, it is remarkable how this culture has continued to flourish. The company continually maintains its focus on the importance of our work. We are encouraged never to lose sight of the fact that every day, our technology and products allow patients to enjoy longer and fuller lives.
To be able to work in this type of environment while bringing such outstanding lifestyle improvement to so many patients puts all of us at Guidant in an enviable position and makes it perfectly clear why Guidant is on the Top 100 list.
Rosemary Conlon, Regional Manager VI New York
Guidant Corporation, Santa Clara, California
www.guidant.com
Additional companies that made the list of the 100 Best Places to Work For:
No. 73 Medtronic (Fridley, Minnesota)
Medical-device company donated 80 defibrillators to replace equipment buried in the rubble of the World Trade Center. Annual holiday parties bring together patients who use Medtronic devices and the workers who make them.4
No. 82 Merck (Whitehouse Station, New Jersey)
Women rank high in management at this drug manufacturer where perks include full tuition reimbursements, terrific health services, and on-site video rentals, oil changes, and child care serving nearly 1,000 kids in four centers.3
No. 86 St. Luke’s (Houston, Texas)
Good salaries (day nurses start at $42,636), plus teamwork. During a flood last year, one employee said, ˜A human chain was formed on a stairway to transport drinks, ice, and meals to floors where patients were still in beds.’3
No. 93 Eli Lilly (Indianapolis, Indiana)
Prozac’s maker celebrated its 125th birthday with its fourth stock-option grant since 1933 good for 125 shares for every employee. Its on-site child-care center, with capacity for 420 kids, is among the largest in the country.5
1. Ibid., 82
2. Ibid., 733.
3. From Levering R, Moskowitz M. “The 100 Best Companies to Work For.” Fortune, Feb 4, 2002;145(3):88.
4. Ibid., 86
5. Ibid., 90
