Owensboro Health | Lift | June 2018

Chad Walker needed a boost, and he got one thanks to a workplace wellness program offered at Owensboro Health. Walker, an information technology supervisor at Owensboro Health Muhlenberg Community Hospital (OHMCH), was put on blood pressure medication last year after he got a high reading while trying to donate blood. Walking through the emergency room at OHMCH, he realized it might soon be him and his family in the ER if he didn’t take better care of himself. That inspired Walker to set off on a journey to improve his health. It didn’t happen overnight, and it took commitment. “The first thing I did was stop drinking soda and start drinking lots of water. I also started eating healthier. I haven’t had pizza, fried foods or sweets for over a year,” Walker said. “I started exercising. First, I was walking on the treadmill, then I worked up to jogging, and now I can run on the treadmill and lift weights.” A year later, Walker won Owensboro Health’s 2018 Best Overall Health Improvement Wellness Award. He has lost 118 pounds and lowered his waist size from 52 to 36 inches. His blood pressure is now normal. “I am able to plays sports with my son,” Walker said. “Now that I am making healthier choices, it does make me feel better.” Wellness working for you If it’s good for the employee, it’s good for the employer. When employees are healthy, that means they can keep working and earning pay, which is good for them. It also means that they are more productive, which is good for their employers. Kelly Schlachter, director of Employer Health Services at Owensboro Health, said the goal is to find win-win situations for employers and their employees. “Many studies agree that a healthier workforce results in fewer sick days and fewer workers’ compensation claims, while improving productivity,” Schlachter said. “Employee wellness programs can also help improve overall community health. Through employers, healthcare providers can encourage widespread adoption of health-improving initiatives. If enough businesses and employees participate, the overall health of the community improves,” Schlachter said. “Employers play a role on the healthcare continuum in a number of ways, including their offering of employee benefit programs and health insurance plans,” Schlachter said. “Wellness programs are a mechanism for employee engagement allowing an employer to assist employees in obtaining tools and resources necessary in increasing healthcare literacy. A healthier workforce leads to healthier communities with better outcomes.” Are you a business owner? Want to improve your health and the health of your employees? Employers interested in wellness programs can call today! Contact Owensboro Health’s Employer Services team at 270-688-6198 . Wellness “Many studies agree that a healthier workforce results in fewer sick days and fewer workers’ compensation claims, while improving productivity.” —Kelly Schlachter, director of Employer Health Services at Owensboro Health at work Visit us! Owensboro Health’s occupational medicine clinic is conveniently located at the Muhlenberg Healthplex at 2025 West Everly Brothers Blvd. in Powderly. Momentum A MUHLENBERG COUNTY SPECIAL SECTION OwensboroHealth.org/MUHLENBERG Momentum • 1