NRMC expands wellness programs for its employees

Nevada Regional Medical Center ended the year on firm ground this year. The financial results will be verified when a regular audit is performed. CFO Cindy Buck said that the results were not as impressive as last year.

"The FYE financials were not as impressive as last year as anticipated with our country's economic downturn," Buck said. "An in-depth analysis was provided to the board in the board packet which discusses differences from budget and from the previous fiscal year."

The hospital is expanding its employee wellness program with new activities and expanded opportunity to participate the board of directors learned at Tuesday evening's meeting. The employees are awarded points for participating in activities that promote employee health or NRMC in the community.

The list of activities that can earn an employee points include participating in regular exercise, participating in NRMC activities such as health fair, parade, etc., donating blood at the NRMC Community Blood Center blood drive and many others.

In addition if an employee has a membership at the YMCA or Curves a portion of that fee may be reimbursed, depending on the number of times they go to those facilities.

The cardiac rehab gym will be available to employees outside of patient hours and employees can access it with a keycard. Exercise classes are available and include yoga, lunch crunch, and a walking group.

Smoking cessation classes are available and employees may qualify for reduced insurance premiums. A nurse practitioner is available after each health fair to discuss lab results and other concerns with employees. They will refer employees to their primary care physician for diagnosis and treatment.

Hospital CEO Judy Feuquay said the hospital was seeking a psychiatrist and a family practice physician as well as others in an ongoing effort to attract quality medical staff to the hospital.

The board welcomed Aimee Starlin and Kelly Eastwood to the staff of the hospital. Starlin is the new NRMC Foundation/Community Relations director and Eastwood is the new Acute Case Manager.

In other business the board:

* Approved renewal of the Missouri Hospital Plan Insurance for $149,741, a savings of $1,900.

* Appointed Robin Miller and Steve Russ to the Board Bylaws and Policy Manual Review Subcommittee.

* Appointed Dr. William Turner, Denise Nelson and Phil Martin to the Succession Committee.