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Employee Wellness

WOW Tip of the Week-Blood Pressure Part 1

Blood Pressure

Getting your blood pressure checked is one of the options on the employee wellness challenge – Health Milestones Challenge.  It is a simple and quick measure you can take that is available at numerous areas in our own organization!

High blood pressure (HBP) or hypertension is often called a “silent killer” because many people have it but do not know it.  HBP puts stress on your blood vessel walls.  There are usually no signs or symptoms.  Over time HBP can lead to: heart attack, heart failure, stroke, and kidney disease.

Your blood pressure is checked with two numbers.  The top number (systolic) shows the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats.  The bottom number (diastolic) shows the pressure in your arteries when your heart rests.

Ideal blood pressure is if you have a top number lower than 120 and a bottom number lower than 80.

Areas in OUR organization where you can get your blood pressure checked:

  • Cardiac Services
  • Wellness Office
  • Ask any of our wonderful nurses, I’m sure they would be happy to check it for you

If you have blood pressure consistently outside of the ideal range, take action!  Talk with your provider about lifestyle changes or possible treatment.

HR

Life and Long Term Disability Employee Meetings

In an effort to provide FirstLight Health System employees the best benefits possible, beginning January 1, 2016, FirstLight will be changing the life and long term disability vendor to UNUM.  This does include any voluntary benefits you may currently have with Assurant.  You do not have to complete any paperwork for this change, as everything was transferred from Assurant to UNUM.  If you want to make any changes, you will need to fill out some paperwork.

UNUM is offering onsite education to employees regarding life, long term disability and voluntary life insurance on Monday, November 9th in FirstLight Hospital Meeting Room 1 at the times listed below:

7:30 a.m.
8:30 a.m.
9:30 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
11:30 a.m.
1:30 p.m.
2:30 p.m.
3:30 p.m.
4:30 p.m.

Employees who would like to listen into these meetings offsite can call (320) 225-3958.  The meeting should last about ½ hour.

The UNUM PowerPoint presentation and applications will be posted on the intranet by Friday, November 6th.

*To qualify for life and long term disability an employee must have core hours of 30+ per pay period.       

Application forms for voluntary life insurance are due back to Human Resources by Friday, December 4th.  If you have any questions regarding open enrollment or the life and long term disability policies please feel free to contact Human Resources at (320) 225-3611.

Administration

Welcome Rob Almendinger!

Rob 001

Please take a moment to welcome Rob Almendinger, our interim EMS manager for the next three months as we search for a candidate to fill our open position.

Rob is currently the Outstate Manager for North Memorial in the Princeton region. Rob will be splitting his time between FirstLight and Princeton.

Rob comes to us with twenty-three years experience in EMS with the past thirteen in a management role.

Welcome Rob!

 

 

Employee Wellness, Volunteer

Kids Against Hunger food packing event-THANK YOU!

A huge THANK YOU to 8 FirstLight employees and families for helping at the Kids Against Hunger event on Sunday November 1st at Calvary Lutheran Church!  Check out all the boxes of food this crew packed!

Thank you to: Garrett Estenson and kids, Becky Gallik and son, Becki Baumann and kids, Kim Pierson and family, Jill Sawyer and granddaughter, Nicole Westman and family, Jenny Matykiewicz and daughter, and Barb Fore.  You guys are awesome!

Food will be delivered to our four local food pantries this week.

2015 group picCompleted bags 2015

Boxes 2015Packing line group 2015

 

Pharmacy

Pharmacy Month Activity Winners!

And the winners are…

Cynthia Sher – HIM
Dr. Schultz – MD
Margie Odendahl – Nursing
Becky Baumann – HIM
Taylor Rudd – Radiology
Vicki Milbradt – Environmental Services
Cindy Teichroew – Infection Prevention
Wanda Nelson – Nursing
Deb Harms – Environmental Services
Pam Novak – HIM
Barb Ennis – NP

Some creative creations… …

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