PORTSMOUTH — Southern Ohio Medical Center is celebrating being recently recognized as the Best Employer in Ohio. The company is not new to this list, having made it for the past five years. In those five years, this is the second time they have made it to the top spot.

The Society for Human Resource Management, Ohio State Council and Best Companies Group were responsible for awarding the employers with the honor, chosen from applications sent in.

The applications included surveys filled out by employees, asking questions from how long the employee has worked there to how they like the benefits.

“This is quite an honor for our organization and further proves that SOMC houses some of the best employees in the nation,” SOMC CEO Randy Arnett said in a press release.

“The selection is based largely on the survey of our own employees and their view of our organization and says a lot about us as a quality employer and a great place to work.”

While it is a medical center, Kristen Wickham, marketing communications specialist, said the organization employs many people outside of medical specialties.

“We have everything from nutrition services, housekeeping, office and administrative jobs. And then, of course, there are nurses, x-ray techs, people to feed everybody, clean everything, people to run things, patient accounting, and people for the IS department,” Wickham said.

“We have an education department educating internally,” she said. “We have a communications department. There’s a big variety, really.”

Wickham said that SOMC has several campuses and locations, serving various needs.

“We have different facilities, but we are still one hospital,” Wickham said.

Karen Spivey, SOMC staff accountant, is very pleased with SOMC, not just as her employer, but also as her healthcare provider.

“My family has always been treated here,” Spivey said. “They spoil us and get to know us. I really think the people here take care of patients because they want to do it. It’s not just a job.

“I don’t want my family to have to go anywhere else,” she said. “If I have my choice for my family and friends, we come here.”

Spivey’s satisfaction with SOMC as an employer is evidenced in her 31-year history as an employee at the organization.

“I love working here,” Spivey said. “My compensation is more than fair. They keep your benefits up and give you special things. I have a good boss.”

While many people look forward to retiring from their jobs, Spivey doesn’t.

“It’s a good, happy place, and they do good work,” she said. “I think most everybody is happy here. I know I sure am. I have three years left and I am going to miss it when I’m gone. I’ll have to come back and volunteer.”