Western Reserve Hospital has been named a 2026 NorthCoast 99 award winner by ERC, the Employers Resource Council. The NorthCoast 99 award honors 99 great Northeast Ohio workplaces for top talent each year. This is the 13th consecutive year that Western Reserve Hospital has been recognized with the prestigious NorthCoast 99 award. 
 
“To say we've earned this designation for the 13th year running means we are constantly improving our workplace culture and retaining top employees who are succeeding in careers that are not only meaningful but impactful,” said Heather L. Milicevic, Vice President and CHRO, Western Reserve Hospital. “We're focused on a consistently positive and productive work culture for our staffs.” 
 
NorthCoast 99 winners participated in a rigorous application process requiring detailed information on how the organization addresses top-performer attraction, development, and retention in the areas of employee engagement and talent development; employee well-being; organizational strategy, policies, and benefits; talent attraction, acquisition, and onboarding; and total rewards.
 
"Twenty-eight years ago, ERC launched the NorthCoast 99 awards program and event to help our region become a prime destination for companies and high-performing individuals," said Samantha Marx, Vice President of Strategic Projects at ERC, who oversees the NorthCoast 99 program. "Beyond being a sought-after accolade, this yearlong research initiative offers employers valuable insights and data into policies and practices that successfully attract and retain top talent."
 
The 2026 NorthCoast 99 awards program is sponsored by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield; CIBC; Cleveland Magazine; ERChealth; Maloney + Novotny; Meyers, Roman, Friedberg & Lewis; Oswald Companies; Staffing Solutions Enterprises; and WKYC Studios. 

About ERC
At ERC, we work with leaders to build better workplaces and solve the challenges that don’t come with easy solutions — like pay, employee relations, training, and engagement. For over 100 years, we have been a trusted resource for organizations in Northeast Ohio and around the country. ERC is also the creator of the annual NorthCoast 99 awards program, honoring the 99 highest-ranking workplaces in Northeast Ohio each year. Learn more at yourERC.com.