FLH Named to Newsweek’s America’s Greatest Workplaces for Mental Wellbeing

UR Medicine Finger Lakes Health announced today that it is recognized as one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Mental Wellbeing 2024 by Newsweek and Plant-A Insights Group.

“Mental well-being is an increasingly important concern for U.S. workers—which means it's increasingly important for U.S. employers as well,” said Newsweek Global Editor in Chief Nancy Cooper. "To spotlight the organizations prioritizing the mental well-being of their employees, Newsweek has partnered with data researcher Plant-A for the inaugural ranking of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Mental Well-Being, highlighting companies making a positive difference in the mental wellness of their workers.”

The ranking lists the top 750 U.S. employers making a positive difference in the mental wellness of their workers in over 78 industries.

UR Medicine Finger Lakes Health was one of only 45 hospitals/health systems in the nation to make the list and one of just 4 in New York State. It is the only hospital/health system in the Finger Lakes region and in Western/Central New York being recognized. The other three New York hospitals recognized are:

• Albany Medical Center

• Montefiore

• NYU Langone

“UR Medicine Finger Lakes Health is committed to improving the health and well-being of our communities, and this commitment affirms that we prioritize our employees' mental well-being, says Chad Hoffman-Fragale, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, CHHR Vice President, Human Resources & Emergency Management comments. “By implementing supportive initiatives and policies, UR Medicine Finger Lakes Health creates a workplace where employees feel valued and supported.”

UR Medicine Finger Lakes Health’s commitment to our employees’ well-being is demonstrated through a comprehensive benefit program including:

• Employee Assistance Program, a free, confidential benefit available to employees and their family members. It provides useful information, practical support and professional counseling on a wide range of work, family and personal issues.
• Flexible scheduling to prioritize work/life balance for employees.
• “Open Door” policy for all levels of the organization to encourage open communication, feedback and discussion.
• On-site child care center caring for children six weeks of age through 6^th grade, created in response to the request of employees over 30 years ago. The Jim Dooley Center for Early Learning was the first local child care facility to earn accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
• Tuition assistance program for eligible employees who pursue continuing education in organization approved work-related courses.
• Tuition “Buy-Back” program that provides eligible UR Medicine Finger Lakes Health employees in job categories including Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), Registered Nurses (RNs to BSNs) and Medical Technologists with assistance in repaying student loan debt.
• Generous compensation and benefits package including health and dental insurance premiums, flexible spending accounts (FSA), health savings account, matching 403(b) tax-sheltered annuity plan, basic life insurance, paid time off, paid holidays and more.
• The HIPSA Nurse Corp designation that provides scholarships and loan repayment to nurses, nursing students, and nurse faculty is available.
• Marion S. Whelan School of Practical Nursing and Finger Lakes Health College of Nursing and Health Sciences are located on-site.
• Clinical Ladder program, a structured system that provides nursing staff career advancement while remaining in the clinical setting providing direct patient care.
• Nursing shared governance empowers all bed side nurses to have a voice in decision-making, thus encouraging diverse and creative input that will help advance the nursing culture and healthcare missions of the organization.
• Quarterly DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses® that recognizes nurses who have provided extraordinary care.
• Employee of the Quarter program, a Distinguished Values Award program that selects employees every quarter for the honor culminating in an Employee of the Year being selected.
• James J. Dooley Leadership Excellence Award that recognizes outstanding performance by a leader who is committed to UR Medicine Finger Lakes Health’s mission, values and the healing environment, as well as the leader’s overall job performance and leadership skills.
• UR Medicine Finger Lakes Health places a strong emphasis on communication and keeping our employees informed, utilizing a variety of mediums, e.g. monthly staff meetings, daily huddles, written communication including an employee newsletter, video messages and more.

UR Medicine Finger Lakes Health is an integrated delivery system that provides a full range of acute and long-term health care services to residents of the Finger Lakes region in upstate New York. Acute and long-term care services are provided on three campuses located in Ontario, Seneca and Yates Counties. Primary care services are provided in Ontario, Seneca, Wayne and Yates Counties.

The system includes the following facilities: Geneva General Hospital, a general acute care hospital providing both primary care and a full range of secondary level services, and Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hospital, a critical access hospital. FLH also includes four long-term care facilities, seven primary care practices, six specialty care practices, and two apartment complexes that provide subsidized housing for seniors and mobility impaired individuals. The system has an ambulatory surgery center, inpatient and outpatient dialysis center, early learning (child care) center, outpatient psychiatric services clinic, college of nursing and health sciences, and a school of practical nursing.