BCHS recognized yet again as 'Best & Brightest'

BCHS recognized yet again as 'Best & Brightest'

Battle Creek Health System has once again been recognized as one of 'West Michigan's 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For' by the Michigan Business & Professional Association. This is the sixth year in a row that the hospital has received this honor.

"This award is only given to those companies that recognize employees as their greatest asset and who work with imagination and conviction to create organizational value and business results through people," says Patrick Garrett, BCHS president and CEO. "We have followed those principles for many years and are proud that others continue to recognize the great service our associates provide our community."

Individuals nominate companies considered for this recognition, then the organizations' human resource departments are contacted and asked to complete an extensive survey and submit employee rosters. "A number of our associates were randomly selected and also asked to complete surveys about their work environment," says Cathy Edwards, director of the BCHS organization & talent effectiveness department (OTE), former known as Human Resources. "A market research firm then tabulates the results and forwards them to a volunteer panel of judges for final evaluation. We are certainly honored to receive this award yet again."

The BCHS organization & talent effectiveness department, formerly known as human resources, in addition to being responsible for associate records and administering personnel policies and employee relations, also recruits new staff and provides recognition and educational opportunities for them.

"Ongoing training is a major component considered by the '101 Best' selection committee for this award," adds Heidi Saxton, BCHS OTE manager. "We strongly believe that our selection was, in large part, due to our commitment to providing leadership and educational opportunities for our associates--ones that help keep them equipped with the latest tools and resources so they can better serve our patients. It is also our desire to provide personal growth experiences so our associates can reach their full potential."

The recognition as one of Michigan's 'best and brightest companies' is the latest in a long list of honors for the health system. BCHS is the recipient of the 2008 HealthGrades Orthopaedic Surgery Excellence Award(tm). HealthGrades is the nation's leading independent health care ratings company.

The Cancer Care Center at Battle Creek Health System continues to be nationally recognized as well. It has been awarded the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons' Outstanding Achievement Award as a Community Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Program 'with commendation.' This three-year approval ranks BCHS among the best hospitals nationwide and the only cancer center in the state to receive this recognition twice.

Battle Creek Health System has also been named one of the most 'wireless' and 'wired' hospitals in the United States by Hospitals & Health Networks magazine three years in a row. (2006/2007/2008)

Battle Creek Health System, sponsored by two parent organizations--Trinity Health (the fourth largest Catholic health system in the U.S. with 21 hospitals, 9 nursing homes, 19 senior house facilities, 8 home health care agencies, and 4 hospices in Michigan alone) and BCHS Community Partners, is accredited by the Joint Commission. Battle Creek Health System is a recipient of the 2008 HealthGrades Orthopaedic Surgery Excellence Award(tm) and 2009 Five Star rated for joint replacement surgery and total knee replacement. HealthGrades is a leading health care information company that provides objective 'report card' ratings nationwide. BCHS provides excellent health care for the community and promotes wellness for the whole person with access and compassion for all. For the latest medical information, visit the BCHS web site at www.bchealth.com or call the BCHS Marketing Department at (269) 966-8132.