Hospital Gains Recognition from the American Heart Association
SANTA CRUZ — Dignity Health Dominican Hospital has received platinum recognition as a Fit-Friendly Worksite from the American Heart Association, the highest recognition possible.
“Our employees spend their days caring for others, so we make it a priority to help employees care for themselves,” said Dominican Hospital Director of Employee Health Services Ronda Hatcher, RN. “We’re dedicated to providing a diverse set of options to get our employees excited about health and wellness.”
The award recognizes employers who champion the health of their employees and work to create a culture of physical activity and health in the workplace. To become a Fit-Friendly Worksite, Dominican met several criteria related to promoting a culture of wellness. Some of the wellness activities available to employees include:
Free exercise classes, employee-led hiking and biking clubs, walking and meditation challenges, and the flagship CORE (Commit, Optimize, Renew, Empower) program, which combines high-intensity interval training with education about stress management and healthy eating habits.
With the help of registered dietitians, Dominican has worked hard to include nutritious options in the cafeterias, including produce from the hospital’s certified organic garden.
Online team wellness challenges bring employees together in healthy competition to change diet and exercise behaviors. The hospital also offers discounts on gym membership and reimbursement for wellness activities outside the workplace.
Participants in Dominican’s employee wellness programs consistently report higher levels of fitness and motivation to adopt healthy habits. Recent CORE program participants reported an average 12 percent increase in aerobic capacity and an 8 percent decrease in systolic blood pressure.
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Dignity Health Dominican Hospital has been caring for the Santa Cruz County community for more than 70 years. To learn more, please visit our website: www.DominicanHospital.org.