97% of VCU Health System employees surveyed say they would recommend the organization to family members as a good place to work.

Families save big at this Richmond, VA–based health-care system, which shelled out $2.46 million last year to cover 100% of the tuition costs for employees, spouses and their dependents studying at Virginia Commonwealth University. To help its workers put down roots, VCU Health also offers a home-buying education program, to which it has just added down-payment loans of up to $7,500 (forgiven after two years). With an average age of 41, the health system’s sandwich-generation staff raves about the two fulltime centers for kids and dependent adults at headquarters and the 20 free days of backup care annually (offered in-home or through centers). All new parents can take a year off with benefits, and postpartum doulas will even call and visit birthmoms at home. With perks like these, it’s no wonder that more than 30% of last year’s hires were returning employees.

CEO, VCU Health System; VP for Health services, VCU: Sheldon Retchin

VP, HR & Family Care Services: Maria Curran

Women managers/execs: 63%

Women among top earners: 50%

Women on board of directors: 19%

Women corporate executive hires in 2008: 100%

Women participating in management or leadership training in the past year: 25%

Women participating in formalized executive succession planning last year: N/A

Women promoted last year who utilized a formal flexible work arrangement: 75%

Formal compensation policies reward managers who help women advance: No