Cancer Fighters Thrive is a quarterly print and online magazine bringing readers practical, innovative and inspirational information about cancer treatment and survivorship.
Issue link: http://cancerfightersthrive.epubxp.com/i/259111
spring 2014 | cancer fighters thrive 17 cf thrive. com SPECIAL FEATURE Health Enhancement Research Organization (HERO) think tank (the-hero.org), "The vast majority of large health care providers, like hospitals or multi-hospital corporations, offer wellness programming." The large-scale adoption of wellness efforts among health care providers, HERO experts say, refects the fact that "health care providers are role models to their patients, and by being healthy they demonstrate the importance to patients." Though programming varies widely among organizations, HERO experts say that many health care providers offer wellness benefts that include biometric screening, personal health risk assessments, health education material access, motivational and education counseling, group challenges and incentives for well- ness program activity or health improvement. And while these programs clearly provide personal beneft to participants, HERO experts note that the employers also realize a reward through bene- fts to the organization, including a reduction in health risks as well as higher morale, increased productivity, decreased absenteeism and the ability to attract and retain top labor talent. Patients also recognize that wellness programming enhances their experience. Experts from HERO note that when patients observe that an organization is offering wellness programming, they see that as an indication that they too will be well cared for: "It says a lot about an organization's philosophy and commitment to their mission as a health care provider when patients see that they are taking care of their employees." Modeling a Healthy, Happy Workplace Cancer Treatment Centers of America® (CTCA) is one health care provider seeing frsthand the benefts of workplace wellness pro- gramming. From the baskets of fresh green and red apples, ripe bananas and packets of raw almonds that are placed throughout corporate headquarters to the broad array of comprehensive well- ness offerings, CTCA embraces a culture of wellness—mind, body and spirit—and strives to create a healthy, happy workplace. As a provider of whole-person cancer care, CTCA has long rec- ognized the value of offering patients leading-edge treatment and also of providing integrative services to help manage emotional and spiritual needs. In recent years the organization has committed to offering employees similar whole-person care through workplace wellness programming that provides a wide range of benefts. "Just as we care for our patients' mind, body and spirit, now we Robert Lissy, RT, Radiation Oncology, and Jessica Weeks, Community Outreach, from CTCA in Tulsa work out at the on-site ftness center. cftSp#23vky.indd 17 2/3/14 11:13 PM