Much of the discussion of worksite wellness centers often focuses on balance sheet issues such as reduced insurance premium expenses, decreased absenteeism and greater workforce productivity.Janet Wincko, Vice President of Human Resources for the top-selling South Florida furniture retailer City Furniture, believes that is only part of the story.
“Providing access to high quality, free healthcare lets our people know that when we say nurturing and respecting our team is a core value, we live that value,” she said.
Janet made that statement 18 months ago when City Furniture partnered with Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lauderdale to open our approximately 2,000-square-foot Health and Wellness Center that offers employees and their families free preventive and urgent medical care.
Located within City Furniture’s million-square-foot corporate office, showroom and distribution complex in Tamarac, our programs also include health screenings at the company’s 16 City Furniture and 10 Ashley Furniture HomeStore locations in Southeast and Southwest Florida, as well in The Villages, FL.
The center is staffed by myself and my medical assistant, Marcel Orelien from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and employees may make an appointment or come in on their breaks. Medical Director, Cornelius Scannell, M.D., who is board certified in occupational medicine, reviews policies and outcomes.
Programs now serve 1,100+ employees and their families and I have seen the benefits first hand. Many of the employees come from a cultural background where medical care is only sought as a last resort when someone is very sick. Introducing preventive care and testing has led to early detection and treatment.
We have worked hard to gain and build trust with our patients, encouraging them to come to us first for non-life-threatening health concerns. We offer educational programs, medical treatment and preventative care, such as:
• We are the first line of care for the initial treatment of work-related injuries providing fast care.
• An alternative to urgent care centers, we treat cold and flu, lacerations and burns, fractures and sprains and other conditions not needing treatment in an ER.
• Equipped with a full service lab, we can draw blood and collect samples for off-site processing.
• Responding to conditions in our patient population, one of our primary areas of interest is monitoring and treating hypertension, diabetes and cholesterol. I have traveled from Fort Lauderdale to Stuart, Naples, Fort Myers and points in-between to meet with every employee. At these visits I check and review blood pressure and weight data and offer nutritional counseling.
• Each month we offer a different health and wellness promotion. A yearly weight loss contest encourages peer support and winners who keep the weight off after six months are eligible for a monetary reward.
• Women health services include pap tests and family services include immunizations and sports physicals required for school-age children.
• Seminars with employees explore topics such as breast cancer prevention, heart health awareness and safety education.
• A healthcare column from the Center is included in the monthly newsletter that is mailed to the home of every employee.
Early metrics indicate employees have decreased visits to emergency rooms and urgent care services since the center opened. They also appreciate saving hours that they would otherwise be traveling to and waiting for treatment.
The center has proven to be a win-win as employees gain access to healthcare and City Furniture has a healthier workforce.