WAYNESBORO, Pa., Nov. 3, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Waynesboro Hospital has been ranked as number one (#1) in the nation among the "100 Best Places to Work in Healthcare," the first-ever nationwide ranking of healthcare workplaces appearing in an October 27, special supplement to Modern Healthcare magazine.

Modern Healthcare sought to identify and recognize healthcare organizations that have successfully built workplace excellence and enabled employees to perform at their optimal level. Other healthcare organizations can look to top performers like Waynesboro Hospital to identify best practices and enhance employee satisfaction.

"Healthcare providers are under tremendous pressure nationally to improve care and control costs," said David Burda, editor of Modern Healthcare. "Waynesboro Hospital has figured out a solution to those challenges that hospitals across the country can follow, and that's to create a work environment that has everyone in the organization focused on the same goals."

The award recognizes Waynesboro Hospital as a workplace that promotes employee satisfaction and performance that, in turn, allows the hospital to provide the best possible care to patients.

Laura Schoonover, a diagnostic imaging technologist and 17-year employee of Waynesboro Hospital, says, "One of the great things about working here is, we're not assembly-line medicine. We're able to connect with people and make sure they're cared for as an individual."

"As a nonprofit healthcare organization, it's our responsibility to provide top-quality care to our community. Our employees, who make Waynesboro Hospital the number one place to work, are the key to making that possible," says Norm Epstein, president and chief executive officer of Summit Health, Waynesboro Hospital's parent organization. "They are a family -- they are great!"

To identify model workplaces, Modern Healthcare partnered with the Best Companies Group, a Harrisburg, Pa.-based firm that conducts regional "best places to work" programs across the country. On behalf of Modern Healthcare, the Best Companies Group conducted two surveys of healthcare companies that participated in the program. The first survey was a questionnaire for the employer. The second was a satisfaction survey completed by employees.

Leaders at Waynesboro Hospital say a commitment to education, quality and technology creates an excellent environment for employees. That's evident through an employee turnover rate that's 5 percent below the national average. (Compdata Surveys, 2007).

"This is where our employees and their families come for healthcare, so we have a real investment in our community," says Ken Shur, Waynesboro Hospital's chief operating officer. "As one of the region's primary health care providers, it is imperative that we provide an environment that is conducive to excellent healthcare as well as a desirable employment destination for the area's best healthcare professionals," he added.

"We begin with the advantage of offering a great location in which to work and live. Few rural communities have access to the quality medical care, technology and skilled professionals that are available here," says Shur. "And beyond that, we have built an extremely supportive work environment that promotes employee retention."

A key factor in Waynesboro Hospital's achievement is employee education. That commitment is evident with more than 450 hours of training provided for employees annually. Also, open communication is supported with regular employee evaluations and an open door policy.

Employees have flexibility in their work week with a paid time off (PTO) program, compressed work weeks and paid time off for community service. They also enjoy an array of fun and interesting wellness programs geared toward keeping them healthy.

Employees also receive financial benefits including flexible spending accounts, tuition reimbursement, and a retirement investment program with employer matching contributions.

The "Best Hospital" ranking is one of several awards Waynesboro Hospital has earned this year including a ranking within the top 1 percent of hospitals nationally for customer service in its Emergency Department by Press Ganey Associates, a national firm specializing in quality care measurement and the improvement of healthcare institutions.

The hospital also received the VHA APEX award for recognition for clinical excellence in the treatment of patients with pneumonia, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, and in the area of surgical care improvement by VHA Inc., a national health care alliance.

"We're proud of the awards we've received for our clinical care," says Shur. "But the 'Best Places to Work' honor speaks to how we're able to do it, it all begins with our employees."

Waynesboro Hospital, an affiliate of Summit Health, is a 64-bed acute care, nonprofit, community hospital located at 501 E. Main St., Waynesboro, PA. Waynesboro Hospital is committed to improving the health and well-being of the people throughout Franklin County and northern Maryland. Waynesboro Hospital offers a wide array of services with leading-edge technology. The Hospital also offers lab and diagnostic services at satellite offices in Waynesboro and Mont Alto. For more information about Waynesboro Hospital, call (717) 765-4000 or visit www.summithealth.org

Modern Healthcare is an industry news source for healthcare executives. http://modernhealthcare.com.

Best Companies Group works with partners to establish "Best Places to Work," "Best Companies," and "Best Employers" programs on a national, state-wide and regional basis through its thorough workplace assessment utilizing employer questionnaires and employee satisfaction surveys.

CONTACT:  Summit Health
          Public Relations
          (717) 267-7136