Healthiest Employees: 500-1,999 Employees | #1. South County Health
CEO (or equivalent): Louis R. Giancola, CEO and president
Number of employees: 969
South County Health knows that health care goes far beyond the job of caring for patients. It calls for attention to staff wellness, too.
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“Historically we focused on our patients’ overall sense of well-being and recovery,” said Maggie Thomas, associate vice president and chief human resources officer. “Now, we support staff and their good health as much as we do our patients.”
Thomas said South County Health is building a “menu” that focuses on resilience (work-life balance, sleep habits and stress management), financial wellness (recognizing that a sense of financial security reduces stress and is important to overall well-being), nutrition and overall physical health.
The Well-Beyond program, which offers employees (and families) the opportunity to earn a discount on their medical contribution by enrolling in the health assessment and biometric screenings, goes well beyond computerized questionnaires.
Need a few minutes to de-stress? Go find the pet therapy dog and have a cuddle. Feeling overwhelmed? Talk to a wellness coach. Want to work out but don’t have a lot of time? Try out the patient cardiopulmonary gym available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
All these methods of self-care factor into the incentive program, as employees log their activities. Thomas said her department receives very positive feedback.
Activities are well-planned and predictable, making them easily accessible, she said.
Beth Keene has worked at South County Health for just a few months but has already taken advantage of several opportunities, including the yoga studio and the gym, and has completed the online assessment.
“I really can’t get over all the different things we offer here to support employee health,” she said.
Thomas is proud to point out the amount of staff you’ll find walking around the campus on any given day. “We provide incentives for staff to get out and get some fresh air on their meal break or their 15-minute break,” she explained. “We have very much seen a change in culture and frequently see staff walking the sidewalks or using the picnic tables outside for lunch.
“We are situated in a beautiful neighborhood in South County,” she continued. “There are sidewalks for safe walking, mature trees. People can walk to Main Street and back in 20 minutes. … It does something for your soul. It’s uplifting and can recharge staff in the middle of the workday.”
According to South County Health, 49 percent of professional behavioral health services were related to stress disorders. One of the most popular stress-reducing programs is the 15-minute on-site chair massages at all system locations. Staff can use the online scheduler or can “walk in” and are charged a copay of $1 per minute. Appointments are generally filled 100 percent.
The Biometric Screening Health Risk Factors overall program is another piece of the puzzle, with participation of the eligible population at 84 percent, which exceeds industry benchmarks of 55-75 percent, South County Health reports.
The Well-Beyond program is highly visible throughout the company, with screensavers reminding staff of their options, posters encouraging staff to participate and a newsletter with upcoming activities. Each year South County Health publishes a new wellness guide.
Staff and their medically enrolled spouse/partner can participate in on-site biometric screenings or may submit a personal physician form with laboratory results ordered by their physician during a well visit.
It also literally pays to participate in the activities. According to South County Health, each 100 points earns a participant $100, with a plan year maximum of $300 per individual and $600 per staff and spouse/partner. Participants may elect to receive a taxable bonus in their pay or a nontaxable contribution into their health reimbursement account.
“We are proud of our programs,” said Thomas. “When they are well-supported, we can continue to do great things for our patients and community.”
A healthy thought:
‘Now, we support staff and their good health as much as we do our patients.’
Maggie Thomas, Associate vice president and chief human resources officer, South County Health
