Forbes Names Duke University and Health System Among America’s Best Employers for Women in 2024

Health System ranks 151 and the University 233 in the annual list of top workplaces for women

an aerial view of Duke University and Duke University Hospital
Duke University and Duke University Health System have been named among “America's Best Employers for Women” in 2024, according to Forbes.

Duke University and Duke University Health System have been named among “America's Best Employers for Women” in 2024, according to Forbes.

It is the fifth consecutive year Duke University has earned the recognition and the fourth straight year Duke University Health System has received the honor. In a survey of 150,000 women working for companies of at least 1,000 employees in the U.S., Duke Health System ranked 151 and Duke University ranked 233 on the list of 600 employers.

Forbes partnered with statistical research firm Statista for the survey, which asked participants to evaluate their employers on dimensions such as atmosphere and development, working conditions, salary and wage, diversity, parental leave, flexibility and family support.

“This recognition reflects our dedication to making sure all employees feel valued and empowered at Duke,” said Antwan Lofton, Vice President of Duke Human Resources. “The success of an organization is reflected in the happiness and growth of its employees. To have received this honor once again shows our commitment to ensuring that everyone at Duke feels appreciated, seen and supported.”

In recent years, Duke has expanded its parental leave benefit and increased the number of lactation spaces on campus. Duke University's workforce is 58% women while Duke Health's workforce is 77% women, according to the most recent demographics.

“I feel very fortunate to have spent the last 25 years working at Duke,” said Maggie Epps, who is chief of staff to President Vincent Price and secretary to the university’s Board of Trustees. “I’m very appreciative of the many opportunities Duke has provided for my professional growth and development, as well as for the Duke benefits that have supported my family’s health and well-being. In my current position, I’m very proud to work closely with President Price and our board to ensure that Duke maintains its position of excellence as a workplace that empowers people to achieve their full potential.”

Duke offers employees opportunities to grow with the help of professional development programs and educational benefits, such as the expanded Employee Tuition Assistance Program, and robust health, retirement and time off benefits.

"Achieving recognition as one of Forbes Best Employers for Women in 2024 truly speaks to our commitment to foster an inclusive workplace that empowers those who come to work at Duke Health," said Terry McDonnell, Senior Vice President & Chief Nurse Executive at Duke University Health System. "As a health care leader, I believe our success is rooted in the dedication and resilience of our teams, whose passion for our patients, their loved ones and each other is evident in everything that we do.”

Earlier this year, Forbes also recognized Duke as one of “America’s Best Employers,” “America’s Best Employers for Diversity” and “America’s Best Employers for New Grads.”

Newsweek also recently included Duke in its 2024 list of “America’s Greatest Workplaces,” “America’s Greatest Workplaces for Job Starters” and “America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity.” 

Read the full Forbes list here.

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