Working Mother Names Scripps Health a Top 100 Company

Scripps selected to national list for its family-friendly culture

Scripps selected to national list for its family-friendly culture

Working Mother recognized Scripps for its commitment to family-friendly programs, including child care, flexible work arrangements, paid parental leave and advancement opportunities for women.

Scripps allows its female workforce — 76 percent of its employees — to adjust job responsibilities as family needs change.


The complete list of the 2015 Working Mother 100 Best Companies is featured in the October/November print edition of Working Mother and on workingmother.com


“As we celebrate the 30th anniversary of Working Mother’s 100 Best Companies, we are keen to recognize leaders who have built initiatives that truly support all employees,” said Subha Barry, vice president, general manager, Working Mother Media. “They are the vanguard of successful companies, with policies that matter to American families,” Barry said.

Overcoming Challenges and Helping Others

For the sixth year, Working Mother is recognizing one special Working Mother of the Year from each company named to the100 Best Companies. Deserie Smith is the 2015 Working Mother of the Year at Scripps and will be honored along with 99 other Working Mothers of the Year from companies throughout the country on Oct. 15 at the Working Mother Magazine awards banquet in New York.


Smith, a medical assistant at Scripps Clinic Center for Weight Management in Del Mar, has an inspiring story that begins with knowing adversity at a young age. As a child she faced abandonment and abuse from various foster parents and later struggled with teenage pregnancy, divorce, bankruptcy and the pressures of raising six children, including two who have sickle cell anemia. She overcame these challenges to become a valued employee at Scripps where she is known for connecting with her patients and mentoring her younger co-workers, including one single mother who recently completed her associate degree.


Smith earned a bachelor’s degree in community youth development and leadership and a master’s degree in community counseling and psychology from Springfield College. One of her goals is to establish a nonprofit organization to help low-income single mothers further their education and have a positive impact on their children.


“I am humbly grateful to Scripps for allowing me the flexibility as a single mother to continue to work, and support my family, while pursuing my master’s,” said Smith, a Scripps employee for 25 years. “The overall support I received from Scripps and my colleagues allowed me to graduate with top grades,” she said. Smith graduated as her class valedictorian with a 3.86 grade point average.

A Satisfied Workforce

In honor of the 100 Best Companies, Working Mother has declared Tuesday, Oct. 20, as National Flex Day to increase awareness of the importance of workplace flexibility. All companies are invited to participate by encouraging all employees to use flex policies on this day.


At Scripps, more than 70 percent of employees have chosen to work some type of alternative schedule, including flexible scheduling, part-time or reduced hours per day or week, or alternative schedules such as four 10-hour days or three 12-hour days per week.


“Scripps understands that in order to retain top talent in today’s work environment, we must offer flexible schedules and benefits to support the lifestyles of our diverse workforce,” said Victor Buzachero, corporate senior vice president of innovation, human resources and performance management. “We pride ourselves on offering alternative work schedules and career development programs that allow employees to enhance their skills, work in various positions and balance their professional and personal lives.”

About Working Mother Media

Working Mother Media (WMM), a division of Bonnier Corporation, publishes Working Mother magazine and its companion website, workingmother.com. The Working Mother Research Institute, the National Association for Female Executives and Diversity Best Practices are also units within WMM. WMM’s mission is to serve as a champion of culture change. Working Mother magazine is the only national magazine for career-committed mothers.


Learn more about Scripps Health, a nonprofit integrated health system in San Diego, Calif.

Media Contact

Leonel Sanchez
858-678-6508

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