Women-Led Top Workplace National Culture Excellence Award
October 25, 2022
Top Workplace has recognized Hospital for Special Care (HFSC) with a Woman-Led Top Workplace National Culture Excellence Award. HFSC is one of 19 identified mid-large organizations across the nation and the only Connecticut organization recognized in the mid-large category. HFSC also earned recognition as a Connecticut Top Workplace for the 10th year in a row last month.
The Top Workplaces program awards organizations for fostering an outstanding workplace culture. Employee surveys conducted gather feedback on several aspects of workplace culture including engagement, alignment and leadership. Top Workplace also celebrates woman-led organizations who build stand-out workplace cultures that perform.
“Developing a culture that values diversity, equity and inclusion and nurtures both professional and personal growth has never been more critical,” said Lynn Ricci, president and chief executive officer. “We have built a leadership team of incredibly talented, dedicated professionals, and yes, the majority of the members of that team, as well as our Board Chairperson, are female. That’s not something you’ll find in very many hospital executive suites today. Yet, I think it is incredibly important to also celebrate that this award recognizes more than the gender of our leadership. This award recognizes the incredible quality of care we deliver, the clinical leadership of our nationally recognized experts and our ability to navigate the most challenging and dynamic period in health care in our lifetimes.”
Lynn Ricci, has served as HFSC president and chief executive officer since 2015, and works closely with Board chairperson Diane R. Chace, Esq. to guide the organization’s growth and development. “HFSC has a history of valuing women leaders. Dr. Katherine Ill served as president of the hospital from 1986 to 1997 during a time when women rarely had a seat at the table. She has always been an inspiration to Diane, myself and countless other women in health care. I believe we have to pay that forward to every member of the generation that comes after us,” said Ricci.
HFSC has grown significantly with Ricci at the helm. The hospital has expanded to 236 licensed inpatient beds, expanded clinical trial capacity for patients with neuromuscular disorders and become a nationally recognized leader services for autism spectrum disorder. “Lynn and her team continue to excel, even through all of the challenges of the pandemic,” said Diane R. Chace, Esq., chair of the HFSC board. “The patients, the staff and the community are all better off for their stewardship and leadership.” Diane Chace’s mother, Judith Chace, also chaired the hospital board in the 1980s.