Healthiest Employers of Rhode Island Awards 2020 | 2-499 EMPLOYEES
2. Providence Community Health Centers Inc. | Merrill R. Thomas, CEO and president | Number of employees: 468
PROVIDENCE COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS INC.’S wellness team emphasizes mutual encouragement. An intranet employee empowerment page allows team members to recognize one another for a job well done.
The page – where staff can post comments, photos and respond to peers – was set up before the COVID-19 pandemic. But PCHC Chief Human Resources Officer Cheryl Perry said it’s proved essential during these times.
“It’s an opportunity for people to take control, coming directly from employees, the ones behind the scenes,” Perry said.
‘We organize focus groups because we want to be sure we are listening to our staff.’
Brenda Ketner, Providence Community Health Centers Inc. director of benefits, compensation and human resources information systems
The health organization has added focus-group feedback changes and seen participation increase as a result. Initiatives are more decentralized as well. PCHC departments now have more flexibility in how they implement ideas and put their share of the wellness budget to good use.
PCHC began offering training with interactive learning-management system Litmos, as well as partnering with a local college so employees can their finish degrees. For mental health, PCHC offers the Headspace app, which offers meditation for all employees.
