What does being a healthy business mean to your organization? How does it reflect the company’s values and business goals?

As a healthcare organization, we are committed to improving the wellness for our patients and our employees.  Being a Healthy workplace is more than what we do, it is who we are.  We walk the walk and we talk the talk. We believe that for a person to reach their optimum well-being, you must treat their mind, body and soul.

We promote a comprehensive approach to promoting healthy behaviors of our employees and our patients, including healthy eating, physical activity, financial wellness, mental health, mindfulness and spiritual health. To promote a culture of health and safety, we offer weekly onsite yoga, discounted gym memberships, convenient bike parking, access to safe bike and recreation trails, free employee assistant program. We also offer financial wellness programs and resources including retirement, home-buying, college saving, and other seminars and resources.

How has Health Links helped your organization build a culture of health and safety?

Through the coaching and mentoring we received from our Health Links advisor and other members of the Health Links team, we have established clear health and safety objectives and goals. We also have taken advantage of the many training options Health Links offers.  By working with Health Links and other organizations, we have built a sustainable culture around health and safety. 

What changes have you seen among your employees, their families, and the surrounding community as a result of your program(s)?

We are proud that our staff have embraced a culture of health. Many staff have formed their own small groups to engage in physical activities like walking meetings and stretching. We have also seen a growth in event participation.  While less than 5% of our staff bike, ski, or walk to work on an average week, over 18% of our staff participated in Bike to Work Day in 2018. Participation in other health programs and activities is also increasing: 30% of our staff participated in the 2018 HealthWalk, more than 10% of staff regularly participate in onsite yoga weekly and almost 100% of staff in regularly participate in physical activities and health cooking outside the workplace on a regular basis.

Does your health and safety program help give back to your community?

Our clinic staff collaborate in many ways with the community. Our Building Hope initiative and Family & Intercultural Resources Center directly give back to the community. We also encourage our employees to participate in community physical health wellness activities by providing flexible scheduling and subsidizing the costs of local fundraising walks and bike rides, monthly bike races and lunchtime activities and participation in Breckenridge Grand Vacations Heart Health walk.

What tips or pieces of advice would you give to a business looking to create a healthier, safer, and happier environment?

Make the commitment to health and safety, set goals, and evaluate and regularly measure your outcomes.  Adjust as needed and involve all levels of your team and organization.  Be open to creative or unique ideas.  Empower the team to start new initiatives.  Get support from the CEO.  Build partnerships with other businesses, the county, state and federal agencies. Work with non-profits and healthcare providers.  Invite engagement.  Focus on the quadruple aim. Celebrate, recognize and thank those who take action.  Enjoy the positive impacts.  Be humble and forgive.