TAMPA, Fla. -- Tampa General Hospital recently topped Forbes' list of "America's Best Employers for Women," outranking companies like Crocs, Carvana, and L'Oreal.

“It was not surprising to hear that,” said Stephanie Jackson, TGH’s director of operations for ortho, neuro, and ID service lines. “In my own growth here at TGH and watching my colleagues grow throughout the organization, as well, I mean, I can reach out to a female colleague to collaborate. It’s just a great environment. It’s a great culture here.”

According to Forbes, the rankings are based on a survey of 50,000 Americans who work at businesses with at least 1,000 employees. Participants rated businesses based on factors like working conditions and diversity, and female employees were asked to give ratings on issues like parental leave, discrimination, and pay equity. 

Jackson started out at the hospital 13 years ago as an administrative assistant and parking cashier. 

“I actually didn’t think I would be here for very long,” Jackson said.

Jackson said the hospital allowed for her to go back to school and even helped pay for her undergrad degree, which paved the way for her to work her way to a leadership position.

“Interest, growth within an organization. You find out what you’re passionate about and love, and TGH is a very nurturing environment. They allow you to kind of go to other departments across the organization, understand that department, see if maybe you fit better in that department, and then it just kind of evolved from there,” said Jackson.

Glenda Wright said her career at TGH was also unexpected.

“My journey through TGH was very happenstance,” Wright said. “I didn’t know that I would end up loving working in the hospital environment or in EVS.”

Wright started working in the hospital’s environmental services department 11 years ago as a temp worker and administrative assistant. The department is tasked with keeping the two million square feet of TGH germ-free. She rose through the ranks to become its first female director.

“When TGH says that, ‘we encourage diversity, we support diversity’, it’s done, and I’m a testament to that in several ways - not having a previous hospital background, although I’ve had a medical background, and coming in as a woman, as a Black woman, and being able to partner and collaborate with others.”

Wright and Jackson both mentioned the hospital’s mentorship program as another important development tool. From now on, Wright said she wants to help members of her team find similar paths to success.

“Getting our team to take advantage of the educational opportunities, and getting our team to career map and find out, ‘Well, what’s next for you?’ I get huge benefit and personal satisfaction from seeing my team grow and seeing them do the things that they want to do or may not have thought was possible until they’ve gotten at the organization,” said Wright.

According to TGH, they regularly conducted surveys to get a sense of employees’ needs. Two recent surveys showed female employees most value flexibility, growth and development opportunities, and health, wellness, and benefits programs.