How Grand River Health Nurtures Employees

Grand River Health, by nature, is concerned with individual health. That care is not only towards the organization’s patients and families, but it extends to its employees and the community.

The local healthcare system, based in Rifle, CO, is focused on providing quality healthcare services to its surrounding community. Grand River Health is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of the communities it serves. With a strong commitment to employee wellness, Grand River Health has implemented various initiatives to create a healthier workplace, including its participation in the Healthy Hospital Compact and Health Links’ Food@Work Initiative.

In this Q&A, we spoke with Drew Schelling, Health Education Director, and Christi Gray, Human Resource Specialist for Benefits, from Grand River Health about the policies, partnerships, and programs they’ve put in place to support employees and enhance workplace well-being. From family-friendly initiatives to improving food options, they share insights into how they are fostering a culture of health, safety, and well-being.

Q&A

Why is the Food@Work Initiative important to improving the health and safety of your employees and patients?

Our mission is to improve the health and well-being of our communities, and our vision is to be our community's first choice for quality healthcare. With changing lifestyles, we focus on primary prevention, which is crucial in public health. The Food@Work initiative supports both employee wellness and food safety, making it a natural fit for us.

We’ve implemented various initiatives under this program, including healthy workplace assessments and surveys, sodium reduction, and improved food offerings in our café. Additionally, our Metabolic Clinic and Changing Lifestyles encourages tracking food intake, supporting our patients.

What are some of the policies and practices you have in place, particularly around family-friendly initiatives and food at work? How have they impacted employee satisfaction and retention?

A significant policy is our workplace breastfeeding policy. Our HR team proactively supports new moms by providing breastfeeding accommodation packets, mapping lactation rooms, and ensuring access to hospital-grade pumps and bottle sanitizers. The are encouraged to reach out to our Changing Lifestyles team and our lactations consultants help navigate through their first months back to work.

We also make an effort to celebrate life events by sending flowers to new parents. Small gestures like these contribute to a supportive and welcoming work culture.

How do you encourage employees to prioritize their health and well-being?

We provide various wellness opportunities, including access to our cardiac rehab facility for employees to use during off-hours. Additionally, we host lunch-and-learn sessions covering topics like mental health, physical activity, and nutrition. Employees are not required to clock out for these sessions, reinforcing our commitment to well-being.

Our café has also undergone significant improvements, thanks to the Healthy Hospital Compact. We offer healthier drinks, a well-stocked salad bar, and a stoplight system to help employees make informed choices.

Additionally, many of our employees are also patients, and the quality initiatives we implement for patient care benefit our staff as well. Our primary care doctors focus on preventive health, including cancer screenings and walk-in mammogram appointments. This convenience encourages employees to keep their health appointments, contributing to our clinics achieving Tier 1 Status in 2024.

How has participating in the Healthy Hospital Compact benefited your organization?

The Healthy Hospital Compact provides regular assessments that help us track progress and maintain high standards. Their technical assistance and one-on-one support have been valuable, offering fresh ideas and strategies to continually improve.

What obstacles have you faced in implementing these initiatives?

Resistance to change has been one of our biggest challenges. Some employees were hesitant about shifting to healthier food options or new workplace policies. To overcome this, we focused on education and engagement, making sure employees understood the benefits and had a voice in the process.

Another challenge has been physical space. As we've grown from 300 employees in 2015 to over 850 today, finding space for wellness initiatives, lactation rooms, and kitchen upgrades has been difficult. However, teamwork and creative problem-solving have helped us navigate these barriers.

How does your organizational culture support these initiatives?

We emphasize a learning culture where employee feedback is valued, and change is implemented thoughtfully. Our providers and leadership set a strong example by actively participating in wellness initiatives. Physicians eat in our café, reinforcing the importance of healthy eating to both staff and the community.

Do you have any final thoughts?

We’re incredibly grateful for the support of CDPHE, the Healthy Hospital Compact, and Health Links. Their guidance has made a significant difference in our community, helping us create a healthier and more supportive workplace.