McLaren Health Plan was named a top five small business as part of the Detroit Free Press's Top Workplaces for 2011. The selection was based on confidential survey responses from employees highlighting worker engagement and leadership traits showcased within the company.

"To be selected for the Detroit Free Press's Top Workplaces for 2011 is a great honor and reiterates the fact that at McLaren Health Plan, every employee is a leader," said Kathy Kendall, president and CEO of McLaren Health Plan. "We would not be the company we are without each one of our valuable employees."

McLaren Health Plan was featured in the Detroit Free Press as part of a Top Workplaces special section. The section was featured in the Sunday edition of the Detroit Free Press on Nov. 13.

The ranking of 5th was awarded to McLaren Health Plan on Nov. 10 at an awards breakfast hosted by the Detroit Free Press.

Organizations with at least 50 employees were eligible to apply for a Detroit Free Press Top Workplaces spot. Companies were then scored based on their performance as an ethical, caring employer with leadership and development opportunities for the staff.

In addition to the Detroit Free Press distinction, McLaren Health Plan was recognized nationally by Modern Healthcare magazine as the 15th best place to work in health care in 2011, the only Michigan health plan to achieve this prestigious honor.

McLaren Health Plan also was awarded The Morehead Apex Workplace of Distinction for the last two survey years. The distinction is awarded to health care organizations that have reached and sustained 90th percentile on their employee engagement surveys.

McLaren Health Plan is an award-winning health plan that covers businesses and residents in 28 counties throughout northern, southeast and mid-Michigan. The provider network includes more than 60 hospitals and 15,000 physicians.