Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/218175
10 MANITOBA'S TOP 25 EMPLOYERS 2014 SEVEN OAKS HOSPITAL Seven Oaks Hospital focuses on wellness By Jennifer McFee For the Free Press Wellness is a top priority at Seven Oaks General Hospital for patients as well as for employees. Since the on-site Wellness Institute opened in 1996, hospital workers have had the opportunity to enjoy the convenience of easy-access health and wellness services. President and Chief Operating Officer Carrie Solmundson says staff members are welcome to use the 80,000-square-foot facility before or after work, or even during their breaks. "It's an award-winning state-of-the-art facility, and employees get discounted membership. We value our employees and care about their health and well-being. We know that working in healthcare can at times be stressful. Providing access to multiple on-site health and wellness services can help our staff get the break they need, manage stress and have more energy. When employees are healthy and well and feel engaged, that translates to better care," Solmundson said. "They have access to smoking cessation, weight loss, targeted health promotion, disease management programs and exercise classes. We also have group training, personal training and on-site massage therapy." These programs help to reduce Workers Compensation claims by keeping employees healthy. "Seven Oaks Hospital has been designated by the World Health Organization as a healthpromoting hospital," Solmundson said. "Not only do we promote health to our patients and community but that also includes our employees." As Director of Human Resources, Jordan Forbes can see the results of fostering a healthy work environment. "Having a world-class facility within our building is not only a recruitment tool but it is a retention tool as well. Health and wellness is important to employees," Forbes said. "By promoting that, I think we do a good job of retaining those people. By keeping them healthy, they attend work more regularly." Thanks to the Injured Workers Program, Seven Oaks Hospital also ensures that injured employees receive the best possible care. "The Wellness Institute also has a clinic where therapies such as chiropractic, physio and athletic therapy are offered. What we offer to staff is quick access to those therapies if they're hurt on or off the job. It's to promote their health and well-being and to hopefully keep them at work versus being off on sick leave," Forbes said. "It's a really good return on our investment in having those services available. We have staff that attend work more regularly. We have higher-energy staff, which translates into their overall well-being." Sheila Petznik from Seven Oaks General Hospital works out at the Wellness Centre. Photo by Darcy Finley Human Resources Assistant Sheila Petznik joined the Wellness Institute five years ago so she could incorporate exercise into her routine without travelling to an offsite facility. "If I leave the building, the chance of me finding another gym or activity is pretty much nil. My goal is to go at least four times per week," said Petznik, who enjoys the aqua classes at the Wellness Institute during and after the work day. "The opportunities are there to take advantage of. You can even go for a massage on your lunch break or after work without having travel time. In the change rooms, it feels almost like a spa. It's so well maintained." After attending a special program for diabetics, Petznik now feels more confident to work out. "I never felt comfortable on the track or the machines. Now that I've attended the diabetic program, the instructor developed confidence so that I wasn't apprehensive because she took the whole group out on the floor. It felt like a support group," said Petznik, who was diagnosed with diabetes in 2011. "The instructor that co-ordinated it made it all worthwhile," she said. "She's so inspirational, very down to earth and laid back. She would know your limitations or push you to the point where she knew you could get to." For Petznik, the best benefit of the Wellness Institute is that she can see the results in her daily life. "My energy level is double. My concentration is amazing. I get mad at myself if I'm not going because there's no reason not to," she said. "We are so blessed. There are so many benefits to working here." Work for the hospital that takes care of your health too 2300 McPhillips Street, Winnipeg MB (204) 623-3341 or info@sogh.mb.ca sogh.ca/about/working-for-seven-oaks/