Campus Health Clinic Helps Pitt Earn Wellness Workplace Designation
A year ago, the University opened a clinic in the center of campus to serve staff and faculty. The health center is special among similar higher education facilities because full and part-time employees are not charged co-payments or co-insurance fees, regardless of insurance coverage.
A year later, the health and wellness center is a cornerstone of Pitt’s Wellness for Life benefits program, which includes health coaching and nutritional counseling, LifeSolutions, PittPerks, on-campus exercise and fitness facilities and comprehensive medical insurance plans. These efforts led the Allegheny County Health Department to recently named Pitt a “Live Well Allegheny Workplace.”
The anniversary of UPMC MyHealth@Work at the University of Pittsburgh Health and Wellness Center and the new county designation were celebrated at an event held in April.
Employers designated by Live Well Allegheny sponsor initiatives that support healthful physical and behavioral workplace environments; adopt policies and structure that support health and wellness; provide resources for and encourage participation in health screenings, wellness activities and disease prevention measures; and have active engagement from leadership and employees.
“It’s not surprising that the University is a good fit as a Live Well Allegheny Workplace with its focus on health, athletics, nutrition and so many other things that are the foundation to healthy living,” said County Executive Rich Fitzgerald in a release. “I congratulate Chancellor (Patrick) Gallagher and all of the administration, faculty, staff and students on this designation and thank them for their involvement in the program.”
Attending the MyHealth@Work anniversary celebration and the announcement of Pitt’s designation as a Live Well Allegheny Workplace are (from left to right) members of Pitt’s benefits team Melissa Kluchurosky and Lori Carnvale; Dr. Karen Hacker, director at Allegheny County Health Department; John Kozar, Pitt Human Resources; Ashley Boykin and Kristin Hasley, UPMC; and Meghan Tintera, Pitt’s benefits team.
The Live Well Allegheny campaign was launched in January 2014 as a comprehensive strategy on wellness that embraces a broad concept of living well to include physical health, mental wellness, personal and community safety, prevention and preparedness, among others.
“At the University, we are cultivating a wellness culture, which will provide additional incentives for all of us to become more involved in making healthy lifestyle choices,” said Vice Chancellor of Human Resources Cheryl Johnson.
Pitt’s commitment to making health and wellness at work accessible and affordable is exemplified by the MyHealth@Work facility.
“In a world of continuing escalation of health care costs, the ability to provide a lower cost alternative that is both convenient and free to faculty and staff is a win-win situation for the University community,” said Assistant Vice Chancellor of Human Resources John Kozar.
Pitt faculty and staff members are responding positively to the center, with 97 percent of faculty and staff patients rating the care provided by UPMC medical assistants, nurses and physicians as “excellent.” Patients also reported satisfaction with the convenience of accessing the facility and wait times.
Staff and faculty do not need to make appointments prior to going to the center. Hours of operation are 7 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. MyHealth@Work is located on the fifth floor of the Medical Arts Building on Fifth Avenue. For more information, call 412-647-4949 or visit the health and wellness center online.
MyHealth@Work has an tele-health station that allows off-site physicians to examine and diagnose patients remotely via a video feed that can stream live to any secure location. The tele-health station also is equipped with attachments so that the physician may view the ears, nose and throat remotely, as well have access to a Bluetooth feed to monitor a patient’s heart and lungs.
By the Numbers
1,667+ Visits since opening in April 2016
194 Visits in February, the busiest month
75% Female patients
75% Patients who are Pitt staff members
The top four ailments reported by visitors include:
- Acute respiratory complaint
- Concerns involving the circulatory system
- Injuries
- Skin issues
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