William Morrison (L), PA-C, Ph.D. with Sentara Obici Occupational Medicine, checks Ronnie Simpson (R), Engineer with Suffolk Fire & Rescue Services during a wellness visit.
Occupational Medicine Specialty is Focused on Taking Care of Employees in the Workplace.
In today’s era of tight business budgets and a sluggish economy, employers are charged with maintaining the health of the organization’s bottom line along with the health of its most valuable asset–their employees.
It’s a tall order!
Yet, one medical specialty called, Occupational Medicine, is coming of age during these leaner times as it works with organizations, large and small, to support a path to wellness. This medical specialty brings expertise to the workplace at the crossroads of the work environment and employees’ health. In doing so, it provides the employer with resources to create a healthier and more productive organization.
Dr. Tim Lee of the Sentara Obici Occupational Medicine Program has made a career of understanding the workplace environment and how health influences a person’s ability to work. Since 1998, Sentara Obici Occupational Medicine has been serving the local community and beyond.
Ronnie Simpson (L), Engineer with Suffolk Fire & Rescue, gets his wellness blood pressure check from Patricia Crumpler (R), LPN, Sentara Obici Occupational Medicine.
Some of the services provided under the occupational medicine umbrella include preventive services–such as an on-site flu shot program or mammogram screenings–drug and alcohol testing, disability management, worker’s compensation/injury care, independent medical evaluations, case management programs, specialized physicals (DOT, Respirator, Asbestos) and employee wellness programs.
According to Annette Dickey, Wellness Coordinator at Community Electric Cooperative in Windsor, Virginia, ” Since our Wellness Program’s inception, Sentara Obici Occupational Medicine has provided the resources for our events, ranging from Wellness Walks to brown bag sessions to health risk appraisals. This partnership has been a valuable asset to the Cooperative, especially to the health and wellness of our employees.”
