Huntington, W.Va. — St. Mary’s Medical Center has been named a recipient of The Jackson Group’s prestigious Laureate Award for Workplace Enhancement.

A representative of The Jackson Group presented the award to the hospital’s leadership on July 31st.

The Laureate Award for Workplace Enhancement was awarded to St. Mary’s based on Work Climate Survey results that exemplified significant improvement over previous survey outcomes and signifies critical efforts to strengthen St. Mary’s as, what hospital officials say is, a “great place to work.”

The Jackson Group, a survey services and consulting firm, conducted employee surveys over several years to measure improvements in the work climate. The company worked with St. Mary’s to develop an action plan to create positive change. The dramatic improvement in survey results made St. Mary’s eligible for the award.

“It does not surprise me that we have very satisfied employees,” said Susan Beth McKenzie, St. Mary’s vice-president for human resources. “When people are so giving and compassionate to others as our employees are, they cannot help but feel proud and satisfied.

“I am certainly proud and blessed to be a part of the St. Mary’s healthcare team. We have really focused on transparent communications and employee engagement in decision making because we value the input of everyone who works here.” McKenzie added.

“The results of the 2009 survey were evidence of efforts made by St. Mary’s leadership to invest in the human capital of their healthcare organization by making sound management decisions that have been well received by both employees and leaders,” said Alan Jackson, President and CEO of The Jackson Group, Inc.

“Through these efforts, it is apparent that leadership has built a very positive work climate.”

The Jackson Group serves clients in 39 states and Great Britain, and the Laureate Award for Workplace Enhancement is awarded to less than five percent of those client companies each year.