3 minute read
Department Spotlight Employee Health
Back Row: Juanita Russell, Deborah J Martinez, Joseph McCarty, Ronnie Jaimes, Raine Soret, Ruby Washington, and Cindy MacClean; Front Row: Celia Berryman, Katherine Pugh, Adriana Hatch, Nancy Ohlenburger, Jacquelyn Henderson, Leslie Towner, and Geri Hall
From flu shots, to fit testing, to workplace injuries, the employee health nurses at Methodist Healthcare specialize in identifying risk and caring for our employees. During the COVID-19 pandemic, this team took on an elevated role to support and care for our staff in ways they never have before. “I remember being on the Want to feature your department? phone with an employee who We'd love to learn more was driving to the ER with about you! Please email very severe symptoms of MethodistCommunications@ COVID-19. They asked me if MHSHealth.com to request to be featured in the next issue. they were going to die. That was heartbreaking, because I felt like there was nothing I could do,” said Leslie Towner, RN, Employee Health Nurse at Methodist Hospital | Northeast. “I wanted to be there to hold their hand and to comfort them. I could only be on the phone to talk them through it. That was hard.” Leslie said some employees have come back after recovering from COVID-19 to thank her. She said they have cried together remembering the scary moments of uncertainty and knowing this crisis has brought them closer together. Then they get back to doing what they do – caring for others. Leslie said this last year has definitely stretched the team to their limits, but that it has always been a very rewarding job. The employee health nurses are charged with giving annual flu vaccines, maintaining shot records, providing drug screenings and pre-employment immunization records, and respirator fit testing. They are also case managers for employees involved in work injuries like needle sticks, blood and body fluid exposures, or TB exposures. Employee Health nurses run the Healthy Work Environment at each facility where they have staff train and educate their own department peers on employee safety and keep their environment and workplace safe. Employee Health’s main responsibility is keeping the employees safe. Reminder: Don’t come to work sick. Let your employee health nurse know if you have a fever or other symptoms. See your PCP for care. Thank you for helping maintain a safe place for our staff, patients and visitors.
Vanessa Morales, a Patient Care Tech at Methodist Hospital | Specialty and Transplant, was injured at work and turned to her Employee Health Nurse Deborah Martinez to navigate the process. A vital signs machine attacked me during a rapid response,” said Vanessa. “I fractured my ankle during a code. The house supervisor, which serves as Employee Health outside of office hours, called Deborah for assistance. I’m grateful she was there to help me. It’s not something you think about until you need it.” Vanessa was able to return to work on light duty with restrictions. Deborah shared that she loves what she does and enjoys being able to care for all the staff.
EMPLOYEE HEALTH BY NUMBERS
17 25 10,000+ 11,000+ 1000+
Employees
Average pre-employment new hires daily
COVID-19 vaccines to staff at the Methodist Healthcare health clinics
flu vaccines annually
flu vaccines administered monthly (MMR, Varicella, Hep B, and more)
“The safety of our patients and colleagues is our highest priority, honoring the mission of our organization. Employee Health Nurses have embodied this calling for years, promoting and protecting the health of our colleagues with compassion. They care like family, often putting the needs of others before their own. While Employee Health Nurses have always strongly contributed to our workforce culture, the past year and a half has given “above and beyond” brand new meaning!”
RYAN SLEDGE, MBA, MPH
Vice President, Workforce Health & Safety
