MidMichigan Health

Terence F. Moore: “We are truly honored to have received this national distinction from AARP on our dedication to mature workers”

MidMichigan Health has been named one of America's best employers for mature workers, according to AARP's annual survey of "Best Employers for Workers over 50." MidMichigan, which ranked 34 among the 50 companies listed, is one of four Michigan employers to be honored with this distinction by AARP this year.

The seventh annual AARP's "Best Employers for Workers over 50" award recognizes companies and organizations for their practices and policies that value the mature worker and demonstrate workplace innovation. Companies were evaluated for a wide range of workplace practices, including recruitment, continuing opportunities for advancement, flexible work schedules, and benefits for current and retired employees. The full list of honorees may be found on AARP's Web site.

"We are truly honored to have received this national distinction from AARP on our dedication to mature workers," said Terence F. Moore, president of MidMichigan Health. "We view the knowledge and experience our employees bring to our organization as a key to our success and a benefit to not only our organization, but all of the communities we serve."

In earning the award, MidMichigan has been recognized for its flexible scheduling, including phased retirement and health benefits for those individuals considering retirement. In the area of professional development, MidMichigan provides a number of opportunities for career development and advancement at all levels and ages, including promotions, scholarships and tuition reimbursement.

In addition, MidMichigan created a Retiree/Rehire program. This program allows all MidMichigan retirees the opportunity to leave the health system for six months and then the option of returning to work for an 800 hour annual (maximum) schedule while still collecting retirement.

"Our program gives retirees the opportunity to return to work on a flexible schedule and also allows MidMichigan Health the ability to continue to provide quality patient care," said Lynn Bruchhof, vice president of human resources for MidMichigan Health. "In fact, 11 percent of MidMichigan retirees have returned to work through this program, in addition to the more than 500 retirees that have now become volunteers."

Of MidMichigan's nearly 4,813 employees through the 15 affiliate system, 31 percent are age 50 or older.

AARP has found that recent projections point toward a continued jump in the percentage of mature workers in the economy. Fourteen percent of the workforce is age 55 or older now; the percent is expected to reach 19 percent by 2012.

MidMichigan will be honored at AARP's 2006 award ceremony in Chicago on September 21, 2006.