Media contact: Scott Samples
Public Information Coordinator
Phone: (772) 223-4920
Cell: (772) 708-3319
E-mail:  ssamples@mmhs-fla.org

STUART, Fla., Sept. 23, 2010 – For the second year in a row, Martin Memorial Health Systems has been selected as a National Employer of Choice. That designation places the health system in an elite group of just 17 health care organizations from across the country currently holding that title.

Because Martin Memorial has shown significant and continued improvement in the measurements used to determine Employer of Choice status, the health system has been awarded recognition for a two-year period rather than just one year.

“Our journey to become an Employer of Choice has had tangible benefits for our organization,” said Mark E. Robitaille, president and chief executive officer. “Since we began working toward this recognition eight years ago, we have seen associate satisfaction rise significantly, while reducing workforce turnover. That has played an important role in helping us continue to provide high quality care for residents of the Treasure Coast.”

Employer of Choice, Inc. is an organization comprised of a national team of experts on employee retention and workplace trends. The Employer of Choice designation is awarded to public, private or nonprofit employers that demonstrate effective implementation of best practices in attracting, developing and retaining outstanding people.

Organizations that earn the right to be called an Employer of Choice typically enjoy a higher level of system-wide performance and continuity, greater workforce stability, as well as superior levels of customer loyalty and employee satisfaction. Health care organizations that achieve Employer of Choice designation tend to have higher patient satisfaction, greater productivity and lower turnover.

Designations are based upon a rigorous review of an organization’s practices. That includes a wide spectrum of workforce topics, including a company’s business practices and improvement initiatives, a marketplace comparative analysis and a benefits review. Organizational culture, turnover rates compared to the industry average and workforce retention were also carefully examined as part of the review process.

“The process to achieve this status began several years ago as part of Martin Memorial Health Systems’ quest to constantly find innovative ways to improve the organization,” said Joyce Gioia, chief executive officer of Employer of Choice, Inc. “This journey included making workforce a strategic priority so they could continue to deliver exceptional health care to the community.”

About Martin Memorial: Martin Memorial Health Systems is a not-for-profit, community-based health care organization that has served the region for more than 70 years. It offers a continuum of care including preventative, primary and acute hospital care, as well as cancer and cardiac care, wellness and rehabilitation services. Its approximately 2,900 Associates, 375 affiliated physicians and 850 volunteers provide care at 12 different locations serving Martin and St. Lucie counties. Martin Memorial is a five-time winner of the Thomson Reuters 100 Top Hospitals Award, and was named a National Employer of Choice designee in 2009 and 2010. To learn more, visit mmhs.com.