OAKLAND, Calif., Aug. 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Kaiser Permanente has been ranked No. 7 on the LATINA Style 50, LATINA Style Magazine's annual list of the 50 best companies for Latinas to work for in the United States. The organization has moved up three spots from No. 10 on the 2011 list.

The survey, now in its 15th year, is a comprehensive evaluation of corporate America's appreciation for the value of diversity in the workplace and identifies the organizations that are providing the best career opportunities for Latinas. More than 800 companies participated in the survey. Each company was evaluated on several criteria, including number of Latina executives, mentoring programs, Latina board members, employee benefits, women's issues and affinity groups.

"We are extremely proud of our long-standing reputation as a great place to work for diverse professionals," said Chuck Columbus, senior vice president and chief human resources officer. "It is an honor to once again receive this important recognition, which underscores Kaiser Permanente's appreciation for cultural differences and the value our employees bring to the organization."

Kaiser Permanente will be featured in the August issue of LATINA Style magazine, alongside a profile of Latina executive Irene Chavez, senior vice president and area manager of the San Jose (Calif.) Medical Center.

"The beauty of Kaiser Permanente's culture is that diversity is absolutely valued," said Chavez. "I'm proud to be a Latina living the American dream, working with the health care delivery system that is best positioned to deliver the best, highest quality care today and in the future."

This is just one of many accolades Kaiser Permanente has received for diversity excellence this year. In April, Kaiser Permanente received Diversity MBA Magazine's inaugural "Hall of Fame" award for its continued commitment to institutional diversity and inclusion in the workplace. In June, Kaiser Permanente was named a "Leader in LGBT Healthcare Equality" by the Human Rights Campaign for its commitment to equitable, inclusive care for LGBT patients and their families, who can face challenges in accessing adequate health care.

In addition, Kaiser Permanente is involved in a number of initiatives to further workforce diversity, including hosting the upcoming National Hispanic Corporate Council Member Meeting and CEO Forum in October in Berkeley, Calif.

The LATINA Style 50 Companies will be honored on Feb. 7, 2013, during the publication's Diversity Leaders Conference at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

About Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America's leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, our mission is to provide high-quality, affordable health care services to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve more than 9 million members in nine states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal physicians, specialists and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the art care delivery and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education and the support of community health. For more information, go to: www.kp.org/newscenter.

For more information:
Laura Dunn, laura.c.dunn@kp.org, 510-267-2818

SOURCE Kaiser Permanente