Women who come back to Mercy Health System after having been stay-at-home moms are given special reorientations, informal mentors and consultations with an education coordinator, who’ll help them sketch out their academic goals.

In 2011, this health care system introduced a bachelor’s of science in nursing program on its main campus. All employees get an average of 27 hours of continuing education per year, but management is encouraging them to pursue more learning opportunities by offering up to $3,000 in annual tuition reimbursements, with as much as $2,000 in additional assistance for nurses. Even employees’ teen children can benefit from financial awards, with $1,000 college scholarships available to those seeking medical careers. Women were 85% of the recent participants in the system’s Leadership Development Academy, which helps them succeed in profit-and-loss positions.

President & CEO Javon Bea

VP, HR and Organizational Development Kathy Harris

Women managers/execs 61% 

Women hires in 2011 81%

Average weeks of fully paid maternity leave offered 6

Offers paid paternity leave? Yes

Offers paid adoption leave? Yes

Women in affinity groups in 2011 7%

Offers backup child care? No

Employees working flexibly 50%