AARP Names Atlantic Health Best Employer for Workers Over 50

Mary Stokes was a Summit housewife for 21 years before she started working at Overlook Hospital in 1976. But she says she has never looked back.

“Here I am 33 years later,” Stokes, 73, said. “It was the best move that I made. I enjoyed it right from the beginning.”

Now, AARP has named Atlantic Health, parent company for Morristown Memorial and Overlook Hospitals, the Best Employer for Workers over 50 of hospitals and health care companies.

Andrew Kovach, vice president of Human Resources, and chief administrative officer, Atlantic Health, said the company has many programs that promote a healthy work environment for employees over 50 including the 1,000 Hour Club, which gives retirees the opportunity to come back for temporary assignments including consulting, contract work, telecommuting, and part-time work.

“We have a workforce that is extremely dedicated, extremely loyal and extremely good. That’s the way we want everybody,” he said. “It’s nice to be able to fit in that situation. It breeds itself.”

This is the fourth year AARP had recognized Atlantic as a top company for employees, but this year Atlantic was honored at the top of a new list of healthcare companies and hospitals.

“Atlantic Health continues to be an AARP Best Employer for Workers Over 50 because it helps its employees maintain life-work balance,” said AARP in a release about the honor. “Not only can employees take advantage of programs, development opportunities, and free continuing-education classes, but retirees are also able to tap into a large list of retirement-planning workshops. The workshops include such topics as eldercare, Medicare, Medicaid, Medigap, powers of attorney, and living wills.”

More than a third, or 34 percent, of Atlantic Health’s employees, are 50 years or older, and those employees average 15 years with the company.

“A lot of companies say people are their most important product but in healthcare that truly is 55 to 60 percent of the total cost of everything you do,” Kovach said.

Danny McDuffie, of North Plainfield, has been working as Overlook’s greeter for four years, a job that entails not only directing visitors to their destination around the hospital but also monitoring pick-up/drop-off area outside.

“I find that this is a company that cares very much about their employees,” the 54-year-old said. “The work-life balance, they’re right on top on it. This is why this is the number one place to be. They cater to bring the best out of you.”

McDuffie, whose wife also works at Overlook, said the company strives to help employees stay young while you grow old, something that is very rare to find in an employer.

“They promote growth,” he said. “Physically and mentally it’s enhancing.”

Stokes also said she enjoys working for Atlantic because of the program they have in place to help employees, such as daycares and elderly care.

“It’s a great place to work,” she said. “The people are lovely.”

In fact, Stokes said she loves working for Atlantic so much, she never wants to retire.