Healthiest Employers of Rhode Island 2019
500-1,999 EMPLOYEES #1: South County Health
CEO (or equivalent): Aaron Robinson, CEO and president
Number of employees: 829
SOUTH COUNTY HEALTH’S 829 health care professionals are a well-regarded community resource dedicated to keeping the area’s population healthy, so they’ve got to walk the walk with their own well-being.
“We think that it’s so important that as health care providers we are good role models for our families and the community,” said Maggie Thomas, South County Health assistant vice president and chief human resources officer.
The South Kingstown-based, full-service health care resource offers advanced inpatient, outpatient and home health services, as well as services at South County Hospital. It has started encouraging staff to monitor the amount of sleep they get nightly. Adequate sleep time is crucial to optimizing a person’s immune system and cognitive skills, two elements that are of particular concern for health care workers.
“We also recognize that we have staff that are working one [to] three shifts [in a day],” Thomas said.
Sleep deprivation, a badge of honor for workaholics, is a significant danger for South County Health employees, contributing both to personal health problems and possible mistakes in the workplace.
Because the company began asking staff members to track sleep time only late last year, Thomas said there isn’t enough data yet to make any informed conclusions.
In the meantime, employees are training for the South County Health Centennial 5K in the fall. Though some had begun training for the run without much long-distance running in their past, the training has gotten many of them into good form, according to Thomas.
In addition to the cardiovascular benefits, she noted, training in teams of employees has helped build friendships and camaraderie.
South County Health offers employees wellness resources from a number of angles that would be the envy of most other organizations.
“We leverage all of the benefits and expertise of the health system,” Thomas said.
South County Health’s cardiac rehabilitation unit, which focuses on adopting heart-healthy lifestyle changes to address risk factors for cardiovascular disease, is available for preventive, as well as therapeutic guidance. Dieticians provide healthy eating advice on request; therapists advise on the dangers of e-cigarettes during regular workshops; and a sleep lab is available for staff to sort out disorders such as sleep apnea. Staff members have access to medical information and advice on countless topics.
And the advice doesn’t fall on deaf ears. South County Health staff members pay the guidance the respect it deserves.
“We don’t ever hear, ‘Oh, I’m a nurse, I already knew that,’ ” Thomas said.
South County Health employees are cognizant that the pace of their work, and the responsibility it carries, warrant a keen eye on self-care. Even medical professionals can use a helping hand to stay in good health.
“They have the same challenges, I would say, and very busy work schedules,” Thomas said. Those busy schedules can add to the challenge of maintaining wellness.
The company also offers employees health coaching – either in person or by phone – and biometric screening events, provided through a vendor, StayFit.
Wellness programs that are comfortable and convenient to the users are crucial because it’s more likely a staff member will continue to participate.
“If you prefer to get [screenings] done at your physician’s [office], then that’s OK, too,” Thomas said.
Financial well-being is an important element in safeguarding a person’s overall health and productivity, she said.
“We know that when things are not going well financially, it becomes extremely stressful and can impact overall well-being,” Thomas said.
Financial advisers are regularly invited to speak to staff for lunch-and-learn events, and employees can earn monetary rewards for attending the meetings.
South County Health’s approach to keeping its staff practicing what they preach is comprehensive, but it didn’t happen overnight.
“We have been building on it over a 10-year period,” Thomas said.
