Hospital recognized as 'healthy workplace'
By From staff reports
Published in News on October 11, 2015 1:50 AM
Wayne Memorial Hospital has been recognized as a healthy workplace.
The "Excellence Recognition" was presented by Prevention Partners, an initiative that addresses the overall culture around health and wellness.
The local hospital earned straight A's in the modules of WorkHealthy America, officials said. The program recognizes a hospital's commitment to employee health as demonstrated by its policies, programs and benefits to support their health, optimize productivity and integrate wellness into daily operations.
Among the efforts undertaken at WMH are encouraging physical activity by offering on-site exercise classes and monthly walks, ensuring at least 50 percent of the food offerings for employees are healthy ones, and providing Fitbit(r) devices to employees at low cost to help them monitor diet and exercise efforts, said Georgia Dees, director of public relations at WMH.
"Our focus is on creating a culture of wellness within our organization and ensuring that healthy choices, options and activities are available to all our employees," said Rick Rogers, vice president of human resources at the hospital. "What's most important about our health initiative is that the focus is on each employee as an individual. The key tenet is to help them be the best they can be, for themselves, so that they can be the best for their families, too."
The hospital began working with Prevention Partners in 2011, and the partnership has helped the hospital stay focused on meeting its goals while also providing insights and best practices the hospital can build on.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, has acknowledged the WorkHealthy America Excellence standard as one of the highest achievements in building a healthy workplace.
Meg Molloy, president and CEO of Prevention Partners, credited Wayne Memorial with setting a high bar in establishing a workplace where employees can make healthy choices.
Employees at the hospital who comprise the Culture of Wellness committee, which led the efforts to meet requirements for the Excellence Recognition, include Donna Archer, Jana Blackman, Mitzi Currie, Emily Decker, Sissy Lee-Elmore, Mark Lyons, Rebecca Mooney, Shelby Ostendorf, Karen Padgett, Connie Pender, Robin Potter, Rick Rogers, Sherry Rogers, Brittani Shultz-Gardner, Rob Snoad, Vince Watson, Howard Whitfield and Kellie Witherington.