KRMC journal

KRMC Healthy Choices program saves a life

Jun 18

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KRMC recently rolled out its new Healthy Choices Wellness Program after eight months of planning. Program Director Lisa Dreer, PHR, CCP, KRMC’s Benefits and Compensation Analyst, says that “617 employees have participated in the Health Assessment portion of the program, which is 58% of the hospital’s 1,074 eligible employees.”

Lisa also indicates that the percentage of employees participating in this initial roll-out of the program equals the numbers of similar programs in their third or fourth year. The comprehensive program entails an initial health assessment, blood tests, health coaches and an exercise program to get employees moving. An incentive to participate in the program provides employees with a discount for their health insurance benefits.

Less than a month old, the Wellness Program has already shown how valuable a benefit it is, especially for one employee, Tina Dunn. Tina is a 12-year employee with KRMC and works as an AHCCCS biller in Patient Financial Services.

Tina had her blood work done four months prior to the Health Assessment — which came out fine — and was not planning on participating in the Wellness Program’s sponsored “Health Awareness Week”. However, departmental Wellness Champion, Sherry Jackson, persuaded Tina to get her blood work done on Friday, the last day of the event.

This may have saved her life. Tina’s lab results were off the charts. Her triglyceride level was at 1799, her glucose was at 315 and her cholesterol was at 307. The tests were repeated and the results were identical to the initial tests.

Tina’s personal physician was contacted and she was given a same-day appointment. While at the physician’s office her blood pressure was recorded at 189/116. Tina was diagnosed with high blood pressure and diabetes. Tina is doing fine, is now on medication for her medical problems and is walking four miles a day, five days a week.

Tina’s doctor told her that had she not had this blood work done, she probably would have had a major stroke within a month or even died. Tina says, “Even though it is a pain and no one wants to get their blood checked, DO IT! I believe that KRMC’s new Wellness Program and Sherry Jackson saved my life”.

Tina would like to thank the following people for providing this program that may have saved her life: Lisa Dreer and Heather Crowl, Human Resources; Don Willes, Wellness Center; Sherry Jackson, Patient Financial Services (Wellness Program Departmental Health Champion); and the many employees behind the scenes that assisted with this new program.

Pictured: Sherry Jackson (left) and Tina Dunn