FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Rod Gardner
Publication Specialist
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Today’s Date: May 12, 2009

St. Joseph’s Mercy becomes Arkansas’ third Ambassador Award winner

     HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – The seventh annual Arkansas Governor’s Work-Life Balance Awards luncheon was held at the Peabody Hotel in Little Rock today and St. Joseph’s Mercy Health System – a large-company Gold Award recipient each of the last three years – became only the third business in the state to be presented with the prestigious Ambassador Award.

    The Ambassador Award is designated to be given to Arkansas businesses who receive three Gold Awards in their categories by managing to stay as competitive in their work-life practices as larger international companies. St. Joseph’s Mercy joins Baptist Health and Allied Therapy and Consulting Services as Arkansas Governor’s Work-Life Balance Ambassador Award winners.

     “I am extremely pleased that we have been presented with this coveted award,” said Tim Johnsen, St. Joseph’s Mercy President and Chief Executive Officer. “In receiving the award from the governor’s office, we consider it an honor and a privilege to be recognized with other forward-thinking organizations. We have worked very hard to ensure that our policies and practices reflect a culture that understands and supports the many demands today’s employees have on their time.”

     “Our co-workers have created an environment that places our patients first and I’m pleased that Mercy (Sisters of Mercy Health System) supports the many work-life balance options provided to our team.”

     Vice President of Human Resources Jed Liuzza, who attended the luncheon to both give a presentation and accept the Ambassador Award on behalf of St. Joseph’s Mercy, concurs with Johnsen.

     “We were named an ambassador for the Governor’s Work-Life Balance initiative because of our ongoing demonstration of leadership in that area,” Liuzza said. “To even qualify, we had to win three consecutive large-company Gold Awards, so the Ambassador Award is reflective of our continued commitment to the co-workers who care for the communities we serve. St. Joseph’s Mercy is taking care of people who are taking care of people – our patients.

     “As one of just three Ambassador Award winners, St. Joseph’s Mercy will participate in the mentoring of other businesses throughout the state regarding the policies and practices that resulted in us receiving the honor. We will be available to other companies who wish to see what we do.”

    The Arkansas Governor’s Work-Life Balance Awards ceremony annually honors Gold, Silver and Bronze Award winners in three different employee-size categories – large (over 500 co-workers), medium (50 to 500 co-workers) and small (under 50 co-workers). The awards are presented to Arkansas employers that provide resources and support in helping employees balance the needs of both work and family. St. Joseph’s Mercy, with its Christian mission as a guide, places a great deal of emphasis on providing patients, physicians and co-workers with the best services possible in a safe and family-friendly environment.

     Evidence of such an environment is the myriad of community service opportunities, as well as unique programs offered to assist St. Joseph’s Mercy co-workers in need. Take, for example, the Paid Time Off (PTO) Donation Program, where co-workers have the option of donating their own PTO hours to other co-workers who are coping with disasters – illnesses, injuries and other catastrophic situations – and no longer are receiving income because they have exhausted all of their eligible benefits.

     St. Joseph’s Mercy also offers its co-workers rebates on membership fees to area fitness centers, flex time, job sharing, two retirement plans and tuition reimbursement for continuing education.

     A member of the Sisters of Mercy Health System, St. Joseph’s is a not-for-profit Catholic healthcare organization. For more information on the three large-company Gold Awards and Ambassador Award St. Joseph’s Mercy has received from the Arkansas Governor’s Work-Life Balance Awards initiative, as well as services and employment opportunities presently being offered, please visit www.saintjosephs.com.

Vice President of Human Resources Jed Liuzza (left) and President-CEO Tim Johnsen admire the Ambassador Award St. Joseph's was presented.

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