St. Jude Children's Research Hospital makes FORTUNE's "100 Best Companies to Work For" list for fifth straight year

News provided by

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Mar 05, 2015, 10:16 ET

MEMPHIS, Tenn., March 5, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital has been recognized for the fifth year in a row as one of FORTUNE magazine's "100 Best Companies to Work For." The hospital ranked in the top third of companies on the list. St. Jude employees continue to express their deep sense of pride in the hospital's culture and mission of finding cures and saving children.

The annual list recognizes companies with exceptional workplace cultures that foster high employee morale and dedication. Companies choosing to participate in the selection process are graded based on employee surveys about company programs and practices.

According to this year's survey, 97 percent of St. Jude employees say they are proud to tell others where they work, and 94 percent say their work has special meaning and is more than just a job. St. Jude currently has more than 3,900 employees. In addition to credibility, employees also noted the hospital's culture of respect, collaboration and perseverance to help childhood cancer patients live healthier, longer lives.

"From the lab to the clinic to the front desk, everyone at St. Jude plays a role in fulfilling our incredible mission of finding cures for children with cancer and other life-threatening diseases," said James R. Downing, M.D., St. Jude president and chief executive officer. "When people find meaning in their work and are supported by an environment that fosters teamwork, creativity and compassion, the extraordinary is possible."

Inspired by employee suggestions, St. Jude has implemented new initiatives within the last year such as paid maternity leave and an on-campus summer concert series for staff. In addition, the hospital renovated traditional break rooms throughout its campus into modern spaces called "C-Suites" that focus on communication, collaboration and camaraderie.

Staple programs at St. Jude include Lunch with the CEO; a Leave-Sharing Program that allows employees to donate accrued sick or vacation hours to others who need it; a comprehensive wellness and fitness program called Living Well; and a support group for employees with military connections. In July, St. Jude was named one of 15 recipients of the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award from the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve of the Department of Defense. The award is the highest honor given by the U.S. government to employers for their exceptional support of employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve.

"Creating a top workplace is more than a list of benefits and perks," said Mary Anna Quinn, chief administrative officer and executive vice president at St. Jude. "It is a pledge and an ongoing commitment to ensure that employees have the support, resources and environment to do their best work and make the most of their careers."

To choose the 100 Best Companies to Work For, FORTUNE partners with Great Place to Work to conduct the employee survey. Two-thirds of a company's score is based on the results of the Trust Index Employee Survey, which is sent to a random sample of employees from each company. The survey features questions related to employees' attitudes about management's credibility, overall job satisfaction and camaraderie. The other third is based on responses to the Culture Audit, which includes detailed questionnaires about pay and benefit programs in addition to a series of open-ended questions about hiring practices, methods of internal communication, training, recognition programs and diversity efforts.

The full list is online at www.fortune.com/best-companies, and the magazine will be on newsstands March 9.

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. It is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. Treatments developed at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to 80 percent since the hospital opened more than 50 years ago. St. Jude is working to increase the overall survival rate for childhood cancer to 90 percent in the next decade. St. Jude freely shares the breakthroughs it makes, and every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing and food—because all a family should worry about is helping their child live. To learn more, visit stjude.org or follow St. Jude at @stjuderesearch.

About Memphis
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is located in Memphis, Tennessee. With a population of more than 650,000 in the city limit, Memphis is the largest city in Tennessee and receives about 10 million visitors a year. Memphis sits along the Mississippi and Wolf rivers and is known as the home of the blues and birthplace of rock and roll. Memphis has received several national accolades including being named one of the best cities for foodies (Travel + Leisure, 2011); "Happiest Cities For Job-Seeking College Grads" (Forbes, 2012); "Great Riverfront Towns" (CNN Travel, 2012); most hospitable cities in the U.S. (Airbnb.com, 2013); "Best Urban Places to Retire" (Nerdwallet.com, 2014); and "The 10 Cheapest Cities to Live In" (Kiplinger, 2014).

SOURCE St. Jude Children's Research Hospital