Working Mother Names Scripps Health a Top Company

One such working mother at Scripps is 36-year-old nurse practitioner Tracie Gadler who was selected internally as the Scripps’ 2014 Working Mother of the Year from 115 nominations. She will be honored along with 99 other Working Mothers of the Year from companies all around the country on Oct. 15 at the Working Mother Magazine awards banquet in New York.

Gadler began her life with more than her fair share of challenges. Born to a drug-addicted and abusive mother, young Tracie was often left to survive on her own. At age 11, she was placed in a long-term foster home that provided her with a stable home life. Unfortunately, only three years later, she was diagnosed with metastatic bone cancer. It was then that Gadler first became involved with "Camp Reach for the Sky” run by the Seany Foundation. The specialty camp allows children battling cancer to spend a week in the mountains doing fun activities with other children who have cancer or survived it. Following remission, Tracie spent several years volunteering for this program, and continues today to support the American Cancer Society to help raise awareness and support.

In her current role as a nurse practitioner, Gadler continues to serve as an advocate for cancer patients. In the 11 years that she has worked for Scripps, she has made a significant impact on the lives of the thousands of patients she has cared for. She also spends her time conducting research and volunteering by leading cancer support groups, helping with free cancer screenings and providing cancer education within the community.

Gadler is a compassionate nurse practitioner who gives her all at work and then goes home and does the same for her family – husband, Steve; and her children, 9-year-old Grace and 3-year-old Blake. Despite a hectic family and work life, Gadler is pursuing a doctorate in nursing practice at Duke University.

“Scripps is a wonderful place to work! Not only has Scripps provided financial aid through scholarships and tuition reimbursement, but they appreciate the importance of work/life balance and lets me take time off when needed to be with my family,” said Gadler.

In honor of the 100 Best Companies, Working Mother has declared Tuesday, Oct. 21, as National Flex Day to increase awareness of the importance of workplace flexibility. All companies are invited to participate by encouraging all employees to use flex policies on this day.

At Scripps, more than 70 percent of employees have chosen to work some type of alternative schedule, including flexible scheduling, part-time or reduced hours per day or week, or alternative schedules such as four 10-hour days or three 12-hour days per week.

“Scripps understands that in order to retain top talent in today’s work environment, flexible work schedules – a cherished benefit among our working mothers – must be offered to support a very diverse workforce,” said Vic Buzachero, corporate senior vice president of innovation, human resources and performance management. “We pride ourselves on offering alternative work schedules such as telecommuting, dual assignments and job sharing to allow employees to develop new skills, work in various positions and balance their professional and personal lives.”

Learn more about Scripps, a nonprofit integrated health system in San Diego, Calif.