At Puget Sound Orthopaedics, health is our top priority—not only for our patients, but also the health of our amazing employees. We know happy, healthy employees are the best employees, so we provide many healthy lifestyle options and educational opportunities for the hardworking women and men of PSO.
All 3 of PSO’s campuses are 100% tobacco-free and smoking cessation information is available to anyone in need. Rather than taking a smoke break, our intermittent break policy allows employees to get up from their desk and stretch their legs throughout the day. Employees are also encouraged to enjoy our amazing seasonal weather by walking together at lunch time. For several years, employees have also encouraged each other to stay active and healthy by organizing a weight loss competition. Those who participate hold each other accountable with weekly weigh-ins and engage in a friendly race to lose the highest weight percentage. Although there is only 1 winner of the cash prize, everyone wins by losing weight and getting fit.
Healthy Hearts, Healthy Minds
Each year, PSO creates new and creative ways to promote a healthy workplace. In recent years, we have participated in National Wear Red Day, a day observed to bring national attention to the #1 killer of women: heart disease. Several employees are invited to attend the Sound South Go Red for Women Luncheon, and educational brochures and educational materials are made available in each of our clinics. This year, as a division of Proliance Surgeons, PSO employees were also given the opportunity for a membership in Naturally Slim, a 10-week program designed to encourage healthy eating and dietary changes. Proliance Surgeons also provides a wellness incentive program for our health insurance policy holders when annual preventative examinations are completed by employees’ primary care physicians.
It is important to our administrative staff that a diverse offering of healthy snacks be available at every quarterly All-Staff meetings. Employees come together for company updates and ice breaker activities. With staff across 3 clinics that include a surgery and imaging center, everyone is afforded a chance to interact. These meetings encourage camaraderie and a chance to build important working relationships.
Healthy Competition
When we aren’t gathering for meetings, we are participating in other group activities. Many employees participate in our annual Chili and Cookie Cook-off competitions. This past Earth Day, PSO employees also got the chance to build air plant terrariums for their home or office space. Our employee event planning committee also spends hours planning summer and holiday parties each year so that employees can celebrate the new seasons together.
Whether it’s interacting during our company-wide functions, taking group walks at lunch or simply sharing a healthy snack with a co-worker, our employees are surrounded by healthy options and encouragement to live the healthiest life possible!
Written by Leslie Kelling
