UTHealth Houston ranked as a best employer in US

Published: March 20, 2024 by Faith Harper, University Communications

UTHealth Houston was named a top workplace in the U.S. by USA TODAY.

UTHealth Houston was named a top workplace in the U.S. by USA TODAY.

UTHealth Houston is among the best employers in the United States, according to the 2024 USA TODAY National Top Workplaces, ranking as the No. 1 university in the country among extra-large institutions.

The USA TODAY list included 1,530 total National Top Workplaces. Overall, the university was ranked No. 92 nationally for employers in the category of more than 2,500 employees.

“The National Top Workplace designation by USA TODAY is a tremendous testament to the incredible people of UTHealth Houston who work together to advance our mission through innovation in education, research, and clinical care,” said Giuseppe N. Colasurdo, MD, UTHealth Houston president and Alkek-Williams Distinguished Chair. “We are immensely proud of our faculty and staff, who foster a culture of care and collaboration for students, colleagues, and patients. They are the heart of our university, preparing the next generation of health professionals, serving the community, and improving health for all.”

Winners are identified solely based on employee feedback gathered through the Energage employee engagement survey. Companies were chosen based on the results of surveys taken over 12 months in 2023. Nearly half of UTHealth Houston employees took the time and commitment to participate in the 2023 employee survey.

“This recognition speaks volumes about the work experience at UTHealth Houston across our many schools, clinical enterprises, and research activities,” said Karen Spillar, JD, vice president of Human Resources and chief human resources officer. “From the survey data, we can see our employees believe in the mission of the university and feel empowered to learn, grow, and freely communicate. When people are able to bring their best selves to work, the organization thrives and its impact is amplified. I’m proud to work with such exceptional professionals.”

The survey looked at 23 core statements and categorized them into six themes:

The designation also will help recruit health care leaders to the university’s faculty and staff.  

“The Texas Medical Center is a highly competitive market, and our applicants have choices,” said Melissa Jackson, associate vice president of Talent Acquisition and Employee Services. “Our employees are sharing that this is a great place to work, but honors like this amplify that message broadly and show potential new hires that this is a workplace that continually strives for excellence and is committed to employees’ growth.”

Jackson said the power of the university’s seven schools is also a draw for applicants because of the opportunities for collaboration in education and research.

UTHealth Houston focuses on improving organizational culture and engaging employees with resources and programs that empower them to achieve career and personal goals.

“A key initiative for the university has been fostering engagement with our employees and elevating their work experience,” said Syrine Joubert, manager of employee onboarding and engagement. “We have made significant progress in bolstering employee engagement and retention, especially in establishing strong connections across the diverse generational landscape of our workforce. Being recognized nationally speaks to the culture of the university and the environment we have cultivated, where every employee is valued, supported, and empowered to excel in the meaningful work they do.”

UTHealth Houston is a nine-time recipient of the Houston Chronicle’s Top Workplace designation as well as a two-time honoree on the Forbes Best Employer by State list.

The university has numerous professional and career development programs that continually improve the work experience and culture, as well as help faculty and staff grow in their current positions and prepare for the future.

UTHealth Houston Leadership Institutes include the Women in Leadership Seminar Series, Emerging Leaders Institute, Executive Leadership Institute, and the Leadership Institute Mentorship Program. 

UTHealth Houston also provides targeted management and supervisory training through the Management Development Academy to more than 1,400 clinical and administrative managers, and offers LinkedIn Learning, which has a digital library of more than 16,000 courses and 150 learning paths covering a range of topics to enhance professional and personal growth and development.

Additionally, Employee Assistance and Well-being Programs provide valuable mental health and well-being support, and there are financial resources available, such as Your Money Line, a spending and debt management program provided free of charge to all UTHealth Houston employees and family members.

Other recent UTHealth Houston accolades:

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