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Mercy earns honor for being good for working moms

JANESVILLE — Mercy Health System has again been recognized nationally as one of the best employers for working mothers.

Working Mother magazine this week named the Janesville-based health system as one of its 2012 Working Mother 100 Best Companies.

The magazine rewarded companies based on an array of progressive workplace programs, including child care, flexibility, advancement and paid family leave.

In addition, it named Mercy one of the top 10 companies for health and wellness.

"We are very honored to be listed among the best companies for working mothers," Javon Bea, Mercy's president and chief executive officer, said in a statement. "Working mothers continue to make valuable contributions in all areas of Mercy Health System.

"It's both our pleasure and responsibility to ensure that we create a supportive and flexible work environment that enables them to succeed."

The magazine noted that of Mercy's nearly 3,900 employees, 83 percent are women. Females hold more than 60 percent of the system's management positions, and 81 percent of new hires in 2011 were women.

The magazine made special note of Mercy's introduction of an on-campus bachelor's of science nursing program on its main campus. All employees get an average of 27 hours of continuing education per year, but management encourages them to pursue more by offering up to $3,000 in annual tuition reimbursements, with as much as $2,000 in additional assistance for nurses.

Employees' children can benefit from financial awards, with $1,000 college scholarships available to those seeking medical careers.

To recognize its leadership for working women, Mercy asked its employees to nominate themselves or a fellow Mercy mother to be named Mercy's Working Mother of the Year.

After a review of more than 40 finalists, the honor was bestowed on Nina Graham, a registered nurse at Mercy Hospital and Trauma Center.

Mercy will be recognized in the October/November issue of Working Mother magazine, on WorkingMother.com and will be honored at the Work Life Congress in New York City in early October.

Other Wisconsin companies making the list were SC Johnson of Racine and University Hospital of Madison.