Worksite wellness summit announced

Van Wert independent/submitted information

CELINA — Auglaize, Mercer and Van Wert County business leaders and local healthcare providers, along with wellness experts from around the state, will gather for a summit on worksite wellness Wednesday, September 18, at Romer’s Catering in Celina;

Summit participants will discuss the following topics: “The Affordable Care Act’s Impact on Workplace Wellness Programs”; “The Importance of Workplace Wellness”, which will include a round table discussion by local hospital CEOs; “Healthier Employees Equals Fewer Injuries and Incidents”; and “Promoting a Culture of Wellness.”

West Central Ohio Regional Healthcare Alliance (WCORHA), Joint Township District Memorial Hospital in St. Marys, Mercer Health Hospital in Coldwater, Van Wert County Hospital, the Grand Lake Safety Council in Celina and the Van Wert County Safety Council are hosting the summit.

Featured speakers include Laura Hoag, senior consultant for Findley Davies; Carol Morrison, manager for the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation; Kevin Harlan, CEO of Grand Lake Health Systems; Lisa Klenke, CEO of Mercer Health; and Van Wert County Hospital President/CEO Mark Minick.

The Affordable Care Act has fundamentally changed the way healthcare providers are paid for their services. Reimbursement now involves incentives for keeping people healthy and out of the hospital, plus monetary penalties for admissions that were potentially avoidable, as well as unplanned re-admissions.

Individuals spend half of their waking hours in the workplace, with 60 percent not achieving their daily-required fitness activity or making healthy food and beverage choices. Employee health is at the core of an organization’s effectiveness. This workshop will help to provide answers on how people can work together to provide good health for all.

WCORHA is a network of community hospitals working together to improve the quality and cost-effectiveness of healthcare services.  For more information or to register visit the organization’s website at www.wcorha.org.