Press release
From Mission Health:
Asheville, N.C. (Aug. 1, 2013) – Mission Hospital has received the NC Prevention Partners 2013 Gold Medal, Gold Apple and Gold Star Awards in acknowledgement of its exceptional employee wellness programs. Mission Hospital met the NC Prevention Partners standards for all three of its gold awards, which include recognition for physical activity, nutrition and tobacco-free initiatives.
“We are honored to receive all three gold awards from NC Prevention Partners. We strive to create a positive work environment for our employees, particularly one that allows them to live happy and healthy lives,” said Stephanie Kiser, RPh, Executive Director of Community Health & Corporate Wellness at Mission Hospital. “Our main focus has been increasing accessibility to programs that promote health and wellness, which is a key element to achieving measurable results and long-lasting, healthy habits.”
To meet the standards for the 2013 Gold Medal Award, hospitals must include opportunities for employees to be physically active during and after the work day. Mission Hospital was one of only three hospitals in North Carolina to be selected as a Gold Medal worksite.
Gold Apple hospitals must offer a healthy food policy that provides nutritious, delicious and affordable food for employees during all shifts. Mission Hospital provides employees with many ways to make healthy choices using price leveraging to encourage healthy options, labeling healthy options with a special icon and placing healthy options at eye level to maximize appeal.
To receive the Gold Star award from NC Prevention Partners, hospitals must provide a tobacco-free environment for their employees. All North Carolina hospitals were tobacco-free by July 6, 2009. Not only is Mission Hospital a tobacco-free workplace, but the hospital also offers effective smoking solutions to its own employees as well as local employers through the Nicotine Dependence Program. The program is the longest running of its kind in NC and has helped thousands of people quit using tobacco products.
“As one of the largest employers in the region, Mission Health has a responsibility to promote health and wellness among our own employees, as well as for the thousands of people in western North Carolina,” said Jill Hoggard Green, PhD, RN, President of Mission Hospital and Mission Medical Associates. “The gold awards are a tribute to our employees, who have embraced these programs and worked hard to improve their health. Each employee plays a huge role in helping us achieve our BIG(GER) Aim: to get each patient to the desired outcome, first without harm, also without waste and with an exceptional experience for the patient and family.”
NC Prevention Partners works with North Carolina Hospitals to improve the health of hospital employees across the state by creating worksite wellness environments. NC Prevention Partners is funded by The Duke Endowment and works in partnership with the North Carolina Hospital Association.
About Mission Hospital
Mission Hospital, based in Asheville, N.C., is a not-for-profit hospital that serves as the regional referral center for tertiary and quaternary care in western North Carolina and the adjoining region. Mission Hospital houses the region’s only dedicated Level II trauma center. It also includes Mission Children’s Hospital – the region’s only children’s hospital. Mission Hospital has seven Centers of Excellence: Cancer, Heart, Mission Children’s Hospital, Neurosciences, Orthopedics, Trauma and Women’s Health.
Mission Hospital is the flagship hospital of Mission Health, recognized as one of the nation’s Top 15 Health Systems in 2012 and 2013 by Thomson Reuters and Truven Health Analytics, respectively. Mission Health is one of only two medium-sized health systems to receive this recognition in 2012 and 2013 and is the only health system in North Carolina to achieve that distinction. This year, Mission Hospital was also ranked as one of the nation’s Top 100 Hospitals by Truven Health Analytics for a record fifth consecutive year, and named as one of the “100 Great Hospitals in America” by Becker’s Hospital Review. Mission Hospital was further recognized nationally by The Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems as one of North Carolina’s “Patient Picks” hospitals, was named a “Standout Hospital” by U.S. News & World Report and tied for second as one of “Business North Carolina’s Best Hospitals.” Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina also named Mission Hospital a “Cutting-Edge Hospital” for quality and expertise in the delivery of specific surgical procedures. Mission Hospital is licensed for 795 beds and employs more than 6,500 people, including over 1,800 RNs. Mission Hospital is committed to serving its community and improving the health and wellness of the people of western North Carolina. For more information, please visit mission-health.org.About Mission Health
Mission Health, based in Asheville, N.C., is the state’s sixth-largest health system and the region’s only not-for-profit, independent community hospital system governed and managed exclusively in western North Carolina. Mission Health was recognized as one of the nation’s Top 15 Health Systems in 2012 and 2013 by Thomson Reuters and Truven Health Analytics, respectively. Mission Health is one of only two medium-sized health systems to receive this recognition in 2012 and 2013, and the only health system in North Carolina to achieve that distinction.Mission Health, which traces its roots in the region back to 1885, operates five hospitals, numerous outpatient and surgery centers and the region’s only dedicated Level II trauma center. Its medical staff consists of more than 1,000 physicians and is certified in more than 50 medical specialties and sub- specialties. Mission Health has seven Centers of Excellence: Cancer, Heart, Mission Children’s Hospital, Neurosciences, Orthopedics, Trauma and Women’s Health. Mission Hospital, located in Asheville, is the system’s flagship hospital and is licensed for 730 beds. It is the regional referral center for tertiary and quaternary care. It also includes Mission Children’s Hospital – the region’s only children’s hospital. Other Mission Health member hospitals include Angel Medical Center in Franklin, Blue Ridge Regional Hospital in Spruce Pine, McDowell Hospital in Marion and Transylvania Regional Hospital in Brevard. With approximately 9,500 employees and 700 volunteers, Mission Health is dedicated to improving the health and wellness of the people of western North Carolina. For more information, please visit mission- health.org.
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