500 or More Employees

(page 1 of 2)

1. Scripps Health

Company description: A not-for-profit, community-based, healthcare-delivery network
Number of employees: 10,800
4275 Campus Point, San Diego 92121
800-SCRIPPS; scripps.org
Highlights: Flexible scheduling; wellness program; learning programs opportunities;

Six months after starting his job as an operating-room custodian at Scripps, Bruce Grendell was promoted to orderly. That was the beginning of a 20-year trajectory that has landed Grendell in a senior administrative position with the healthcare network, which includes five acute-care hospitals, more than 2,600 physicians, an extensive ambulatory network, home healthcare and associated support services.

“One of the things I value most about Scripps is that I’ve been able to accomplish my personal and professional goals while working for the same employer,” says Grendell, who was assisted by Scripps’ tuition-reimbursement program when he returned to school to get his master’s degree in nursing. Scripps let him keep his job when he left to work in a refugee camp in Thailand and volunteer as a relief worker in Uganda and Armenia. “None of these experiences would have been possible if it were not for the great relationship I had with my manager,” Grendell says. “It all starts at the top. We have a multitude of inspirational leaders who show care and concern for the support and development of the people who provide care for our patients.”

One of those leaders is senior vice president Vic Buzachero. “We understand that our brand, what we do, is all about our people,” he says. “We recognize the life cycle of each employee —whether they are early career, midcareer or late career—and help them grow within Scripps and find a career that fits their specific needs.”

Buzachero and other senior management host 15 employee focus groups annually to keep a finger on the pulse of the Scripps workforce. “When you put the mosaic [of employee input] together, you create something that’s beautiful —and that’s something our patients also appreciate.”

Dot Zekan is a client services helpdesk analyst who also has worked at Scripps for 20-plus years. “One of the best things about being employed at Scripps is that they ‘walk the talk’ when it comes to caring about the mental and physical well-being of their staff,” she says. “We are encouraged to be fit, ambitious for the future, caring of our clients and coworkers, diverse in our interests, vested in our community and ethical in our work practices—to basically emulate what Scripps does best: heal those in need.”

2. Loews Coronado Bay Resort

Company description: Luxury hotel
Number of employees: 532
4000 Coronado Bay Road, Coronado 92118
619-424-4000; loewshotels.com
Highlights: Free meals; communityoutreach program; Loews University training courses; opportunity for advancement; employee-recognition programs; discounts at hotel restaurants, spa and other Loews hotels

In an industry that has notoriously high turnover, Loews Coronado Bay Resort & Spa has a number of employees who have worked at the resort for more than 10 years. One reason the resort enjoys a low turnover rate is the tight-knit atmosphere promoted in the workplace.

“This business is run like a family,” says human resources generalist Randea Hinojosa. “Every day when you leave for work, you leave one family to come to another. That comes from the top.”

General manager Kathleen Cochran gets to know each of her employees personally. She attends funerals of employees’ loved ones and celebrates the births of their children. “An emotional connection is really important,” says Cochran, who also joins in the company book club. “When you treat employees with dignity and respect—as we’d treat our guests—they’ll want to stay in their job.”

Kimberly Dopulos plans on sticking around for a long time. She began her Loews career four years ago as a restaurant manager and has since worked her way up to department head. “From the start, managers took the time to get to know me, helped me identify areas that I could develop and encouraged my personal growth,” she says. “They understand that it’s the people who make the business happen, so they cater to us and make sure we’re happy instead of worrying about the bottom line first.”

Dopulos is also co-director of the Good Neighbor Council, composed of resort employees who volunteer their time to various charitable causes in the community. The council also organizes educational and wellness programs, as well as team-building activities.

Do you like what you read? Subscribe to San Diego Magazine »