AdventHealth Corporate Care Helps Build a Healthier Workforce

Across industries, from government agencies and public safety departments to private businesses and utility companies, many employers aim to maintain a healthy workforce. An organization’s team members are their most important component, and helping employees stay well can boost organizational productivity, safety and long-term success. Our AdventHealth Corporate Care occupational health services were designed with that mission in mind.

As AdventHealth’s Occupational Health Medical Director Evan Lowe, MD, explains, the corporate care program “strives to ensure that employees maintain and improve their health so that they are a part of a healthy functional workforce.”

Occupational Health Services for Diverse Professions

At AdventHealth Corporate Care, we offer a range of occupational health services tailored to the physical demands and safety requirements of various jobs. We have two dedicated occupational health facilities — one in Tampa and another in Orlando — serving Florida’s employers and employees.

“We conduct physical exams on a wide range of individuals. For example, we will see office workers, janitors, railroad workers, police officers, firefighters, heavy equipment operators, health care providers and even utility workers,” Dr. Lowe reports.

What Employees Can Expect During Common Occupational Health Visits

For many employees, corporate care becomes a regular part of their job, whether it’s drug testing, physicals to ensure a team member is well enough for work or onsite vaccinations or education. In the world of occupational medicine, specialized physicals with names like "fitness for duty" and "return to work" are similar in nature, but they’re required for different reasons.

According to Dr. Lowe, a "fitness for duty" exam may be needed if an employer has observed or received reports that an employee is unable to perform their job, such as a laborer showing up to work with an arm cast when they were well the day before.

Dr. Lowe explains that the scope of a “fitness for duty” visit will be driven by the specific reason for concern, along with the employee’s job description.

“For example, the testing components for an office worker will likely be different from those of a firefighter,” he says.

On the other hand, a "return to work" exam may seem like a positive step for an employee who has been out of work for a period of time.

“Being out of work could be due to having a recent surgery, the birth of a child or a sabbatical. The employee typically has the confidence that they can return,” Dr. Lowe says.

Common Workplace Injuries and How Employers Can Reduce Them

Across the companies AdventHealth Corporate Care serves, Dr. Lowe notes that the most common workplace injuries involve the muscles and joints.

“The most common workplace injury we see is musculoskeletal injuries. The second most common involves bloodborne pathogen exposure, which could be from a needle stick injury or bodily fluids being splashed onto someone,” Dr. Lowe explains.

To help employers address these risks before they lead to absences, disability or claims, our AdventHealth Corporate Care services focus heavily on prevention.

“We encourage overall health and fitness,” Dr. Lowe says, because good health “not only prevents injuries, but combats absenteeism and presenteeism,” two significant challenges for organizations.

Additionally, healthier employees recover more quickly when injuries do occur.

Dr. Lowe says, “If one happens to sustain an injury and they were in ‘good shape’ before the injury, they are likely to recover very well with minimal disability or none whatsoever.”

Screenings, Vaccinations and Education Strengthen Workforce Wellness

Some of our AdventHealth Corporate Care services can be delivered directly at the workplace, making preventive care more accessible and increasing participation.

“Onsite screenings at the workplace are a valuable tool to keep team members healthy,” Dr. Lowe says.

Employee education is another key component. We provide onsite education with a team of nurses who conduct classroom presentations on topics like high blood pressure, diabetes, nutrition and weight loss.

And when it comes to vaccines, AdventHealth Corporate Care provides onsite immunizations that can help stop the spread of preventable illnesses, including the flu shot.

We also offer services directly to individuals. Dr. Lowe notes that the occupational health clinic operates “as a semi-concierge medical office where we will see patients for self-pay physicals and lab work.”

Healthy Employees Equal Stronger Workplaces

According to Dr. Lowe, one of the biggest misconceptions employees have is that occupational health visits are simply administrative checkboxes.

But he says that “each employee is an indispensable asset to the employer, and our mission is to help employers keep a healthy workforce. Not only does the employer benefit from a healthy workforce, but the individual employee also benefits from being a part of AdventHealth Corporate Care's mission. Employers can keep their team members working to the end of their careers by helping them stay healthy along the way.”

Learn more about our AdventHealth Corporate Care services at AdventHealthCorporateCare.com.