We Did It Again!

Special Tree is thrilled to once again be named a Top Workplace in Michigan by the Detroit Free Press. To make the list, employees fill out an independent survey conducted by the Detroit Free Press on factors that contribute to a great work environment – Direction, Execution, Career, Conditions, Managers and Pay & Benefits.  Thanks to our staff’s  honest feedback and positive written comments, our high survey score put Special Tree on the Top Workplaces list for the second year in a row.  Special Tree also made an impressive showing in several categories.   According to Lynn Slevin, Chief Quality Officer who handles the Top Workplace nomination and survey process, out of the 77 companies in the mid-sized category, Special Tree ranked 7th overall, only two places below Google (5th),  2nd in the “Career” category, and 4th in the “Direction” category.   “The creativity and talents of our staff help our clients shine and make Special Tree a truly exceptional place to work,” said Lynn.  Read more about Top Workplaces results by clicking on the links below from the Freep’s Sunday, November 13th edition.

2011 Detroit Free Press Top Workplaces Winners
2011 Detroit Free Press Top Workplaces National Standards
2011 Detroit Free Press Top Workplaces: Worker’s Feedback
Best Workplaces Put Priority on Satisfaction of Their Employees

Michigan Quality Council names Special Tree its 2010 State Quality Award Recipient

Michigan Quality Council (MQC) has named Special Tree Rehabilitation System the 2010 State Quality Award Recipient.

The Michigan Quality Leadership Award is the highest honor for organizational performance excellence in the state. It is awarded after a rigorous review by a team of examiners who perform a comprehensive site visit and then submit a report for final evaluation to an independent panel of judges.


The MQC’s Leadership award program is modeled after the national Baldrige Performance Excellence Program. Both programs evaluate an organization for excellence in seven categories of performance: leadership; strategic planning; customer focus; measurement, analysis, and knowledge management; workforce focus; operations focus; and results. Participating organizations receive a feedback report identifying strengths and opportunities for improvement; those that demonstrate mature processes and outstanding results may become award recipients.


“Special Tree Rehabilitation System’s leadership model unleashes the talent of employees who live its Science of Caring and Whole Person Paradigm every day. The robust planning developed through the annual operating cycle along with the cascading communication process ensures that employees are linked top to bottom to wildly important client-focused goals. Special Tree has created a culture that provides individualized care and is improving the quality of life for clients”, said Geri Markley, executive director of the Michigan Quality Council. “Special Tree Rehabilitation System is a role model for other organizations in Michigan and for brain and spinal cord injury rehabilitation everywhere.”

Joe Richert, Special Tree President and CEO, said the company was delighted by the recognition. “We are so honored to be recognized by the Michigan Quality Council,” said Richert. “The work they do in supporting business and organizations is helping to raise the bar on quality throughout Michigan. The feedback we receive is truly valuable and a building block in our continuing quest for quality excellence.”


The MQC was created in 1993 by business and government leaders to promote performance excellence practices that achieve results in business, education, healthcare, and non-profit organizations throughout Michigan. The primary service of the Council is providing feedback to organizations to help them improve, culminating in recognizing top Michigan performers. The MQC is now affiliated with Cleary University. For more information on the Michigan Quality Council, visit www.michiganquality.org.

Special Tree Named Among Best Places to Work in Michigan

Special Tree is thrilled to be named one of the Top Workplaces in Michigan by the Detroit Free Press and was among 105 Michigan-based companies and organizations that were honored at a celebration breakfast held at Laurel Park Manor on November 11, 2010. “You’re an example of what’s right in Michigan’s workplaces,” said speaker Paul Anger, Detroit Free Press Editor and Publisher. CEO Joe Richert attended the breakfast with 16 other staff from all areas of the company.

The competition recognizes the most progressive companies in Michigan based on employee opinions about company leadership, career opportunities, workplace, flexibility, compensation and benefits. The survey included responses from over 42,000 employees at 1,000 Michigan public, private, and non-profit organizations.

"We owe this honor to our talented employees, both for making our company great and also for recognizing Special Tree," said Joe. Special Tree made the list thanks to employees' feedback on the survey. At Special Tree, it’s a top priority to create a work environment that inspires passion and enthusiasm so that we can continue our mission to help our clients shine through every phase of their recovery. Special Tree takes considerable heart that our employees believe in our mission and leadership enough to make us a Top Workplace in Michigan.

“Our employees’ great work makes Special Tree a great workplace,” he said. “I’m honored to work with a group of people who share a passion and commitment to make a difference in the lives of our clients.”

Check out Special Tree's ad and company profile in a special Top Workplaces section of the Detroit Free Press in their Sunday, November 14th issue this weekend.