SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (WNAX) – Avera Health, based in Sioux Falls, has been named the number one employer in the state in a poll done by Forbes magazine.

Avera Chief Human Resources Officer Kim Jensen says they didn’t know the poll was going on.

Jensen says they believe the standing stems back to their core values.

Jensen says even though they are a large company, they do listen to their employees.

Avera has about 1,600 employees, with over 9,000 in South Dakota.

The other top employers on Forbes list include: South Dakota State University, the Department of Veterans Affairs, Hy-Vee and Sanford.