New Orleans CityBusiness Honors North Oaks as Top Large Employer

Each year, New Orleans CityBusiness selects three companies in the Greater New Orleans area to receive Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards in the large and small company divisions of its “Best Places to Work” recognition program.

Recently, the regional business publication selected North Oaks Health System as its top Gold Award recipient out of 35 businesses recognized in the large company division. Honorees are selected on the basis of workforce data, such as benefits, retention levels and opportunities for advancement, as well as employee feedback.

This marks the tenth time that New Orleans CityBusiness has recognized North Oaks as a "Best Place to Work,” and the third time the health system has ranked in the top three leading large companies. In addition to the 2021 Gold Award, North Oaks has garnered the 2019 Bronze Award and 2008 Silver Award.

In announcing North Oaks Health System as the Gold Award recipient, New Orleans CityBusiness asserts, “North Oaks Health System’s mission statement is ‘to improve lives [every time] with every touch,’ and President/Chief Executive Officer Michele Kidd Sutton, FACHE, said every decision is made with that in mind. She established ‘shared governance councils’ — system-wide committees of an executive team member paired with 15 to 20 employees to advance priorities on employee relations, patient experience and reputation, efficiency and quality and safety. North Oaks’ family vibe makes the company a great place to work, employees say. That was apparent following Hurricane Ida, when the hospital provided meals for employees, offered laundry services, brought in ATMs and supplied fuel trucks for personal use.”

“We work very hard to establish personal connections and teamwork with our staff. Employee engagement is at the heart of our culture because we believe that positive patient experiences begin and end with an empowered team,” affirms Michele Sutton, FACHE, president and chief executive officer of North Oaks Health System. “The empowerment and dedication of our team could not have been more evident than last year through the third and fourth waves of the pandemic coupled with Hurricane Ida – one of the worst storms in Louisiana’s history. Our health care heroes prevailed, and that’s what makes this honor especially meaningful.”

North Oaks Chief Human Resources Officer Jeff Jarreau concurs. “Through compassion, courtesy, commitment and communication, we foster a culture of excellence where health care professionals can do what they love, love what they do, realize their full potential and feel valued for their contributions to the health and wellness of our region. We are so proud of our incredible team’s work to improve lives every time and with every touch. They make this recognition possible,” Jarreau continues.

New Orleans CityBusiness profiled all businesses selected as best places to work in a special publication issued Dec. 17. View the profiles online here.

For more information on employment opportunities with North Oaks Health System, follow “NorthOaksCareers” on social media or click here. You also may visit North Oaks Employment Center at 42161 Veterans Ave. in Hammond.