November 2011
San Diego Companies Awarded for HR Excellence Ten San Diego companies received top awards at this year’s SD SHRM Workplace Excellence Awards celebration at the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego on November 9. The top two awards were presented to Palomar Pomerado Health and Matrix Direct. Judges overwhelmingly deemed that the human resource practices at Palomar Pomerado Health and Matrix Direct were superior and outstanding, so both companies received Grand Prize awards. This year’s event was unique in that it is the first time in the event’s history that more than one company received the Grand Prize. Over 500 people attended this gala event, representing 120 companies and approximately 30,000 employees. Hosted by the San Diego Society of Human Resource Management (SD SHRM), the annual awards recognize and celebrate excellence in the workplace. Other companies receiving top "Crystal” and "Marble” awards were Harrah's Rincon Casino & Resort, Sharp HealthCare, HD Supply Facilities Maintenance, Hard Rock Hotel San Diego, LG Electronics, MobileComm USA, Gen-Probe, Inc., Red Door Interactive, Inc., and Intercare Insurance Solutions. Over 30 other local companies were also recognized with "Medallion” awards. The awards event provides an exciting showcase of the true value of the HR profession and the tremendous impact effective HR management has upon all operational aspects of a business enterprise. Palomar Pomerado Health received a Grand Prize for steps it has taken to transform its culture and create the "hospital of the future." The company developed a cultural change champion to meet the challenges of implementing a new automated health information system, opening a newly constructed hospital and changing a decentralized nursing model. Matrix Direct received their Grand Prize award for an innovative program they developed to attract and retain the best employees for their insurance services business. The company is setting new sales records and is poised to be a dominant force nationally in the markets they serve as well as a place where employees can enjoy a long and gratifying career. This is the 12th annual SD SHRM Workplace Excellence Awards. The San Diego SHRM Workplace Excellence Awards educate and enlighten San Diego business leaders on the contributions that exceptional human resource practices make to the success and profitability of an organization. Every year employees nominate their company as a "great place to work" through the SD SHRM website or via nomination advertisements in The San Diego Union-Tribune. Sponsors for this year’s event were The San Diego Union-Tribune, SignOnSanDiego.com & Monster, HR Solutions, Lee Hecht Harrison, Mercer, Paul Plevin, Target Contingent Workforce, and UC San Diego Extension. For a complete list of winners and videos from the award ceremony, go to www.sdshrm.org. Contact: Judith Enns, vice president, HR Solutions
Phone: (619) 260-2120
Email: jenns@hr-solutions.com | 
