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| Calvert Memorial Hospital |
| CMH receives workplace excellence awards |
| Date : - 15/09/2008 |
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** CMH offers worksite wellness program to local employers **
The Alliance for Workplace Excellence has named Calvert Memorial Hospital a 2008 Workplace Excellence Award winner. CMH also received the Health & Wellness Trailblazer award. AWE is a nonprofit organization founded by Montgomery County and the Chamber of Commerce to recognize employers in the greater DC area that are creating workplaces which promote professional fulfillment and personal wellness. Other honorees included Allstate Insurance, Marriott International, Post-Newsweek Media and Verizon Wireless.
"At CMH, we believe that our employees are our greatest asset," said CMH President and CEO Jim Xinis. "That is why we invest in programs that help them achieve a healthy work-life balance. It is a win-win for everyone."
The winners were selected after a comprehensive evaluation process by an independent panel of business professionals. In all, there were 62 workplace excellence award winners and 19 winners of the Health & Wellness Trailblazer award. The 2008 winning companies represent more than 1.3 million employees from small, medium, large, private, nonprofit and public sector businesses.
"Calvert Memorial Hospital takes great pride in providing many programs to meet the changing lifestyles of our employees," said Carrie Forrest, vice president, human resources at CMH. "The Health & Wellness Trailblazer Award is very special because it describes what CMH stands for – healthy living."
According to Forrest, CMH offers a wide range of outstanding benefits that allow each employee to tailor a benefits package that meets his or her specific needs. The hospital provides comprehensive health insurance including flexible spending accounts for health and dependent care, tuition assistance and an on-site child care center. The hospital's retirement plan offers an employer match and contribution.
Additionally, said Forrest, CMH offers a robust wellness program, called KeepWell@Work, for its employees. The voluntary program, which began in 2006, is open to employees who work at least 400 hours each year. It encourages healthy lifestyles by providing financial incentives to those who join. Employees who are insured through CMH can reduce their healthcare costs. All participants can take advantage of discounts on wellness activities and complementary therapies like seated massage.
According to Margaret Fowler, director, community wellness, 54 percent of employees insured at CMH enrolled in KeepWell@Work last year and 30 percent of all eligible employees participated.
"The program's impact is well documented," said Fowler, "60 percent of participants showed a positive change in one or more risk factors such as lower blood pressure or lower cholesterol."
Participants complete a health risk assessment (HRA) as part of the annual medical insurance enrollment process. The results are used to target areas for improvement. It also helps employees track their progress from year to year.
Fowler said participation in KeepWell@Work continues to grow each year. "The feedback from our employees has been very favorable," she said. "Here are just a couple of quotes: 'I always suspected I had high cholesterol, now I know for sure...' and 'It makes me feel like they care for us.' "
Fowler points to other benefits. "The number of sick days used has decreased," she said. "Additionally, there was a definite reduction in claims and our premium increase for 2008 was a lot lower than the year before."
Now the hospital is offering to develop similar worksite wellness programs for local employers. "Small or large, we can design and implement a wellness program that meets your organization's needs," said Fowler. "It can range from something as simple as blood pressure screenings to a more comprehensive package that includes an array of services to optimize your employees' wellness potential." For more information,
call 410-535-8233
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** 08-11-2008 **
** SWING INTO STYLE AT CMH BALL ON **
Proceeds to benefit life-saving eICU® technology
Swing into vintage style at the Calvert Memorial Hospital Ball on Saturday, Nov. 8 from 7 p.m. - midnight at the College of Southern Maryland. The black-tie gala celebrates its 20th anniversary with a return to the timeless elegance defined by the Art Deco era.
But don't wait to buy your ticket. Last year's event, the most popular ever, sold out early. Proceeds from the annual fundraiser, sponsored by the Calvert Memorial Hospital Foundation, will be used to purchase early warning software and advanced video and monitoring equipment to keep an even closer eye on the critically ill patients in the hospital's intensive care unit.
The new system, which complements the staff already in place at CMH, is called an electronic or eICU®. It allows intensivists (or intensive care physicians) and veteran critical care nurses at a remote monitoring location to provide CMH bedside staff with an extra set of eyes and ears. Using high-speed data transmission, they're able to monitor such crucial indicators as blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen levels and respiratory rate for early warning signs and intervene proactively, when needed.
"We have outstanding cardiology and pulmonary specialists at CMH but they can't be available 24 hours a day," said Dr. John Weigel. "This new technology gives the staff immediate access to that expertise when they need it. It's going to make critical care for my patients that much safer."
"We're excited that Calvert Memorial will be the first hospital in the state to go live with the eICU®," said Brooke Steuart of Owings, who is co-chairing the ball with Allison Mooney of Dunkirk. It was the impetus for this year's theme, Tickled Pink - Revolutionizing Critical Care to the Pink of Health."
The ticket price is $475 per couple and $250 per person. Tickets can be purchased online at www.calverthospital.com or by calling the Foundation at 410-535-8178 or 410-414-4570 Visa, MasterCard and American Express are accepted.
"This is one of the biggest parties of the year," said Steuart. "It is the event that everyone will be talking about." As guests enter the main tent they will be surrounded by opulence and luxury. She said the pink and black decorating scheme accented by feathers and mirrors reflects the dramatic Art Deco design.
Ken Upton of Ken's Creative Kitchen in Annapolis will provide a gourmet sit-down dinner with tableside wine service. Ken and his staff will prepare a tempting array of appetizers including his fabulous hot crab crostini. Dinner will include alternating salads, a special grilled entree, crusty homemade Italian bread and tempting desserts. As in the past, Ken will also have available upon request a special vegetarian entree or his delicious vegetarian Indian entree.
Back by popular demand is Highway Star - a perennial favorite with those who like to dance. They perform a wide variety of music ranging from big band to current rock to top 40. The band, which features powerful vocals and sultry horns, will play until midnight.
In addition to the dinner and dancing, the gala also features a silent auction where guests can bid on a variety of items from sports tickets to jewelry. Many of the items have been packaged especially to match the "Tickled Pink" theme. "Each year, the auction committee tries to come up with new and exciting items and this year's auction is no exception," said Terri Wolfley.
A choice of six sponsorship packages is offered including reserved seating, special recognition and an exclusive pre-ball cocktail party at CSM. "We want to recognize those that have already committed their support," said Mooney, "including Dickinson Jewelers, Lord Calvert Bowl, Raleigh and Larry Weckbaugh, Community Bank of Tri-County, SMECO, Bank of America, Bayside Chevrolet Toyota, Receivables Outsourcing and Yaffe & Associates."
An anonymous donor has already stepped forward to sponsor at the top level. "We all have family, friends and neighbors who may one day depend on this system to save their lives," said the local resident. "I challenge all previous and potential sponsors to be as generous as they can. This is a worthy cause that will help to keep the people of our community thriving and growing."
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| Reference : - www.calverthospital.com |
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