NORTH KINGSTOWN – Ocean State Job Lot, a leading discount closeout retailer headquartered in Rhode Island with stores throughout New England, New Jersey and New York, is partnering with the R.I. Department of Health and the American Cancer Society to facilitate screenings of common cancers for 700 OSJL associates based in the company’s distribution center and corporate offices in an effort to encourage early detection.
The partnership will help increase associate screening rates by offering technical assistance, culturally and linguistically appropriate educational resources and evidence-based implementation expertise.
Dr. Abdul Saied Calvino, a board-certified surgical oncologist at Roger Williams Medical Center and recipient of the 2018 Carol Friedman Award, given annually to recognize outstanding achievement in cancer care, visited OSJL’s distribution center and corporate office to present information on cancer and the importance of timely cancer screenings. People working in the distribution center and corporate office were invited to attend one of two half-hour presentations in their primary language – Spanish or English.
“Feedback from our associates has been extremely positive,” said Bob Selle, chief human resources officer, Ocean State Job Lot. “Our company has undergone a transformation over the last three years to really focus on enacting programming that will support healthy, happy and productive associates who love coming to work. It’s programs [such as] this that have earned Ocean State Job Lot accolades for being one of the healthiest employers in Rhode Island.”
The group is currently planning ways to increase associates’ overall engagement in health care by reducing barriers and providing opportunities to engage with primary care settings.
“I applaud Ocean State Job Lot for stepping up and making this critical service available for employees,” said Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott, director of the R.I. Department of Health. “Getting screened and finding cancer early on, if it does exist, is so important. It gives doctors more treatment options, and it increases the chances that the treatment someone receives will be effective. Sadly, every person’s family or community has been touched by cancer in one way or another. The good news is that proactive steps like screenings can help keep us and our family members as healthy and safe as possible.”
Rob Borkowski is a PBN staff writer. Email him at Borkowski@PBN.com.
