10 minute read
Corporate Health and Wellness
CORPORATE HEALTH & WELLNESS
The connection between healthy employees and a healthy bottom line
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“Take care of your employees and they’ll take care of your business” – Richard Branson
Many people spend more than 50% of their waking time at the workplace.
Corporate health and wellness programs can help keep a business’s bottom line healthy by keeping employees healthy − cutting down on absenteeism, increasing productivity, and lowering insurance costs.
Local employers see the benefits of a healthy workforce and are offering a variety of corporate healthcare options.
Since 2013, The City of Albany has partnered with CareHere as a part of their employee wellness program since August 2013. City employees, spouses, and their dependents can utilize the CareHere Wellness Clinic for wellness checks, treatments of illnesses, prescriptions, and their annual Health Risk Assessment, says Dwight Baker, the city’s director of human resources.
“The utilization of CareHere has allowed the City of Albany to keep the cost of medical expenses down to help promote low and consistent insurance premiums for the City of Albany and its employees. The City of Albany has worked diligently with our group insurance broker and consultant to competitively market and negotiate our Employee Group Benefits plan annually.”
“With a 93% utilization rate of the CareHere clinic, employees are taking a more proactive role in their health care, allowing serious illnesses to be detected earlier and treatment to be provided sooner. In return, this reduces employee absentees and increases work productivity.”
Baker also notes that the city’s benefits program provides support for concerns that go beyond physical check-ups and illnesses.
“Stress is probably the No. 1 reason people access their Employee Assistance Program benefits, whether that stress is due to stressors in the employee’s work, family, or personal arenas,” he said. “The City of Albany has partnered with ReachEAP, which is available and accessible to individuals who self-refer to EAP. It is also available to employees who may be mandatorily referred to ReachEAP to provide a resource for the employee to identify their stressors and to learn stress management techniques.”
Tracy St. Amant, founder and president of Asa Healthcare Solutions in Albany, also espouses the belief that strong employee support is the key to an engaged, healthy employee.
“Employers can offer every health benefit available but if they do not support their employees, they fail them,” she points out. “At Asa, we offer flexible work schedules that allow our employees the opportunity to maximize their work and home life balance. This allows our employees to lead less stressful lives because they are available for their families when needed, while still contributing financially to their homes.”
At Asa, employee recognition is a key component of promoting positive mental health by increasing pride and self-esteem in the workplace.
Employees are recognized regularly through the company’s Asa-mazing Program, which is shared on social media platforms and in employee newsletters. St. Amant said that employees at a client facility were recently treated to goodie bags when they were positively recognized by the state during a recent survey.
“Our employees work hard for us, and they love it when we recognize them publicly,” St. Amant said. “All of our employees deserve recognition as they do an amazing job taking care of our patients.”
“Listening leaders are wonderful and often have the best intentions, but they are not licensed counselors,” St. Amant said. “We believe in investing in employees and letting the experts lead the way when life becomes too stressful for employees and their families. We are strong advocates for partnering with local mental health support services, such as Aspire, to offer employees Employee Assistance Programs when needed.”
Area businesses and industries may also want to check out the wide range of services offered by Phoebe Corporate Health. Staff members work with each client individually to become familiar with that particular business’s operation, job requirements and job descriptions in order to create a plan to promote work force health, prevent injury and facilitate return to work.
These services are available to Albany Area Chamber members through a partnership between the business advocacy organization and Phoebe Corporate Health.
“We recognize the workforce occupational and wellness needs that exist within the business communities and are excited to offer services that meet those needs in an accommodating on-site and cost efficient manner,” said Dr. Kevin Smith, medical director for Phoebe Corporate Health.
Chamber members receive an automatic discount on core service offerings that include physicals, drug screening, immunizations, tuberculosis testing, biometrics, CPR/ First Aid/BBP certification, workers’ comp, hearing exams, primary care access, financial wellness, acute care, onsite ergonomic assessment, and tele-health. Phoebe Corporate Health also offers on-site workforce wellness event services, as well as a number of outreach and education options.
When it comes to corporate health and wellness, the bottom line is that these programs have multiple benefits, both for the employers and the employees. Employees are more engaged and productive, and employers that proactively use corporate health management to address potential issues can create significant competitive advantage. Healthier workplace means that everyone wins.
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ALBANY BUSINESSES HELPING YOU STAY HEALTHY
GEORGIA CENTER MEDSPA Georgiacentermedspa.com | 229-496-9529 2407 Westgate Dr., Albany
Residents of Southwest Georgia who want to look younger and more vibrant turn to Georgia Center MedSpa. Dr. Joshua Groves, board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, consults with every patient to help achieve the look and outcome they desire. Georgia Center MedSpa provides a safe and welcoming environment where patients find the most conservative and innovative approach while maintaining the utmost quality of care available.
“Looking good doesn’t have to be about vanity, it’s about feeling good as well. People feel more confident when they put in a little extra effort into their self-care routine. So technically, when you dress yourself up, you dress up your mind too!”
NATURE’S CURE AND THE JUICE BOX Naturescureonline.com | 229-446-0505 2818 Old Dawson Rd. Suite 5, Albany
The best wraps, drinks and supplements – that’s the hallmark of Nature’s Cure and the Juice Box. All food and drinks are prepared from only fresh ingredients. Shop a wide variety of vitamins and supplements to keep your immune system up and keep you looking great! Don’t forget to make an appointment with in-house chiropractor, Dr. Nancy Davis, and take advantage of our infrared sauna and spa services.
“Here at Nature's Cure and the Juice Box we strive to provide you with the best, freshest and healthiest drink, wraps and supplements available. Your happiness is our main concern, that's why we carry such a large supply of vitamins and natural supplements as well as a full menu of healthy options to keep you feeling great. Feel free to call in your order and we will have it ready when you get here! Here's to your health!"
– Jami Jones, Nature’s Cure and the Juice Box Owner
WILD SIDE RUNNING Wildsiderunning.com | 229-395-5778 2341 Lake Park Dr., Albany
Wildside Running seeks to be a reliable destination providing shoes and gear for runners in the Albany community. This family owned business carries running shoes, apparel, nutrition, compression and accessories. Located in quaint Lancaster Village, Wideside Running is surrounded by runner-friendly roads to host group runs, races and test runs.
“Being comfortable is key to a good workout. There was nowhere in town to buy good running shoes before 2013. A customer would have to drive 80 miles to the nearest store to find adequate shoes. I opened Wild Side Running because I felt Albany needed to have its own running store.”
– Chris Phillips, Wildside Running Owner
ALBANY YOGA PROJECT Albanyyogaproject.org | 229-364-1665 1908 Dawson Road, Albany
Connecting the community, one pose at a time. Albany Yoga Project seeks to intentionally meet the needs and increase the wellbeing of at-risk community members by providing yoga classes in schools and other community organizations. With access to the right resources, people can become empowered by their own abilities and gain the confidence to fulfill their potential.
“In seeking positive health changes, you must always begin by looking within. Getting present to your habits and behaviors allows you to become clear about what you want to put your attention on- nutrition, fitness, etc. Yoga allows you to get clear by improving your well-being, and as a result, seeking your truth.”
- Sylvia Maxwell, Executive Director & Founder of Albany Yoga Project
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CONGRATULATIONS TO JEFFREY COOLEY JR.
NAMED ALBANY UNDER 40 YOUNG PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR BY THE ALBANY AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AT ITS 110TH ANNUAL MEETING ON JANUARY 23.
After joining the United States Marine Corps during the height of conflict in 2003, Cooley enjoyed a lively and highly decorated career. He is a veteran of several combat deployments, with a Certificate of Appreciation from President Barack H. Obama for honorable service to country.
While earning the Purple Heart Medal in 2005, Cooley was simultaneously awarded the Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Combat Valor distinction for his immediate action taken to preserve the lives of 4 Marines and 1 Navy Corpsman while injured and under attack. After December 2012, Cooley ended his tenure with the Marine Corps and entered the civilian work force.
He has served as the Navy Working Capital Fund Accountant and Audit Readiness Liaison; the Director of Managerial Accounting Division, Programs & Resources, and the Command Internal Control Program Manager. From 2017- 2019, he served as the Marine Corps Logistics Command Audit. In September 2019, he began his role as the Audit Remediation Lead for the United States Missile Defense Agency.
A NOTABLE PROFESSIONAL IN THE FIELD OF AUDIT AND COMPLIANCE, COOLEY HOLDS NUMEROUS PROFESSIONAL DISTINCTIONS.
He is a published financial literacy author and is the author of a legislative proposal on western hemisphere trade deficit and debt relief. He retains a Utility Patent- Applied Business Method for “Financial Statement Risk Propensity Correlation,” from the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. He holds numerous industry certifications and credentials. He is
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