Sarasota Memorial Health Care System has a new title to brag about. Forbes just named it the number one employer for women in all of Florida. The ranking comes from a survey of more than 146,000 women across the country, and SMH didn’t just make the list. It landed at 28th nationally out of 700 employers, and 8th among all U.S. healthcare organizations.
Part of what pushed SMH to the top is the makeup of its workforce. Women represent 75% of the 11,000-plus employees, and they hold 73% of leadership positions. The health system also offers on-site childcare, wellness programs, and professional development opportunities. Forbes weighed things like pay equity, culture, and parental leave when making its decisions. Laurie Bennett, SMH’s vice president of human resources, said the recognition reflects the organization’s commitment to making sure every team member feels valued and empowered.
For the Suncoast, this is more than just a plaque on a wall. Sarasota Memorial is the largest employer in Sarasota County, with hospitals in Sarasota and Venice, and a new one under construction in North Port. That means this kind of recognition could attract even more top talent to our area and set the bar for other local employers. Do you think workplace recognition like this matters when you’re choosing where to work?
