What Makes a Workplace “The Best”?

By Kellie Dahl, Director of Human Resources, Minnesota Hospice

“When I tell people I work in hospice, their faces often shift to a mix of curiosity and respect. ‘That must be so heavy,’ they say. ‘How do the people on your team do this work every day?’”

The truth? It’s the people.

This year, Minnesota Hospice was named a Star Tribune 2025 Top Workplace, based entirely on confidential feedback from our staff. On our very first try.

That kind of recognition doesn’t come from pizza parties or casual Fridays. It comes from something deeper. Something earned. It comes from a culture where people feel safe, seen, and supported—not just as employees, but as human beings.

Culture is More Than Perks

When I joined Minnesota Hospice, one of my first goals was to understand what good culture looked like here—not just on paper, but in the everyday rhythm of this place.

It looked like a nurse texting their supervisor just to say: “I love this job. I’ve never worked anywhere like this.”
It looked like aides hugging each other after a tough visit.
It looked like leadership asking, “What do you need today?” and meaning it.

We talk a lot in HR about engagement, retention, and benefits—and yes, those things matter. But here, good culture means something more:

• It means we trust each other.
• It means laughter in the hallways, even on heavy days.
• It means you can say, “I need help,” and someone shows up.

Hospice Work is Deeply Important—So is the Team That Provides it

Hospice is intimate work. Emotional work. The kind of work that leaves a mark on your heart. Our teams walk with families through some of the hardest moments of their lives. And they do it with courage, gentleness, and an unbelievable amount of grace.

To support that kind of care, our internal culture has to be just as strong as our clinical standards. That’s why we pour into staff development, hold space for team processing, and make sure no one feels like they’re doing this work alone.

Because they’re not.

Recognition That Reflects Who We Are

Being named a Top Workplace is an incredible honor—but more than that, it’s a reflection of the culture we’ve built together.

• It means our team feels respected.
• It means their voices matter.
• It means we’re doing something right.

This award isn’t the finish line—it’s encouragement to keep showing up for each other, every single day.

To Our Team: Thank You

Thank you for the way you care—for patients, for families, and for each other. You are the heart of Minnesota Hospice. This recognition belongs to you.

And to those considering a future here: know this is a place where people come not just to work, but to make a difference. Not just to show up, but to belong.

If that sounds like the kind of workplace you’ve been searching for, we’d love to talk.