Determined to improve employee health, Lee Memorial Health System in 2010 created the vice president of health and wellness position to develop a series of wellness initiatives. Since then, the health system has instituted multiple, successful health programs that have been adopted externally by community organizations and local businesses.
Healthy Me, Healthy Lee
In 2011, the health system launched a fitness challenge for employees called, “Healthy Me, Healthy Lee.”
Through the challenge, participants complete a:
- health risk assessment
- fitness examination
- 12-week program focusing on healthy nutrition and regular exercise
At the end of 12 weeks, pre- and post- results were compared. The winner of this challenge received tickets to a 4-day wellness cruise.
Complete Health Improvement Program (CHIP)
Lee also instituted a program developed by the Lifestyle Medicine Institute that focuses on plant-based nutrition and regular exercise. Through the CHIP program, participants receive healthy recipes, learn how to prepare them, and then eat healthy meals of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, healthy fats and non-meat proteins together.
The program has helped some employees lose 10-30 pounds, lower their cholesterol and blood pressure, and reduce their dependence on medications. The program also has decreased employee absenteeism by motivating employees to come to work.
Walk with the Leaders
Lee Memorial offers a Walk with the Leaders program, where leaders and staff from each hospital take a weekly walk during lunch to increase physical activity throughout the workday.
“It’s much easier to take care of your patients if you are healthy – productivity improves, absenteeism rates go down, disability claims and workers’ compensation claims go down. Overall, these programs make our organization physically, mentally and financially healthier.” Salvatore Lacagnina, DO, vice president for health and wellness at Lee Memorial Health System
Healthy Horizon Challenge
Working closely with the Horizon Council, a Lee County, Florida-based group comprising about 80 companies, Lee Memorial launched the Healthy Horizon Challenge, a 12-week program to improve the health of the county’s workforce and boost awareness of wellness initiatives.
For the program, council members served as ambassadors to their organizations, whose employees participated in various health screenings followed by nutrition and exercise programs. After three months, the participants underwent the screenings again to measure their progress.
“Hospitals really have been perceived as places you go to get a cure, and what we would prefer to be seen as is a center for health and wellness, where you can go to get information about how to stay healthy, eat right, incorporate exercise into your daily routine, and maintain mental wellness.” Lacagnina
For more information about Lee Memorial’s employee and community wellness initiatives, please contact:
Salvatore Lacagnina, DO
Vice President for Health and Wellness
Lee Memorial Health System
salvatore.lacagnina@leememorial.org
239-989-9922