Barton and Pawnee county employers now have access to a new program at St. Rose Ambulatory & Surgery Center designed to help their bottom line and encourage preventive health care for their employees.

          Mark Mingenback, St. Rose marketing director, has been personally visiting local and area businesses to explain the benefits of this program, which is called WellnessWorks. There is no charge for participation.

          “The reception from employers has been outstanding,” Mingenback said. “They appreciate the fact that WellnessWorks will provide a continuity of medical care to their employees and their families.”

          In a nutshell, this program works directly with employers to control costs associated with workers’ compensation and general health care, Mingenback explained.

          “WellnessWorks provides ongoing communication and easy access to health-care services and information,” Mingenback said. “The system is streamlined so that participants can have up-to-the-minute status reports.”

          For example, when an employee is injured on the job, WellnessWorks will consistently update the parties involved about the injury, the health-care plan and timeframe for when an employee may return to work.

          “This allows the employer to schedule fill-in help while the employee cannot perform a certain job,” Mingenback said. “And the employee is able to focus on recovery and return to work sooner, with less interruption to personal responsibilities, career and income.”

          Mingenback emphasized that the program is not designed only for workers’ compensation issues. It also emphasizes wellness, while encouraging health-care screenings to prevent disease and injury.

          “St. Rose understands that work injuries will happen but we also realize that preventing problems is the key to good health care,” he said. “We believe WellnessWorks will help encourage people to choose healthier lifestyles and take advantage of preventive-medicine services.

          “This concept embodies our St. Rose mission,” Mingenback added. “That mission is to extend the healing ministry of Christ by caring for those who are ill and nurturing the health of the people in our communities.”

          The program is open to businesses of any size in Barton and Pawnee counties. Employers are encouraged to contact Mingenback for more information or to schedule an introductory appointment by calling 620-786-6136. There is no obligation to participate.

          St. Rose is part of Centura Health, which connects individuals and families across western Kansas and Colorado with more than 6,000 physicians, 15 hospitals, seven senior-living communities, physician practices and clinics, and home-care and hospice services.