County’s Health and Wellness Clinic receives ‘Award of Excellence’
Pictured, from left, are Whitney Giliam, FNP; Kim Jeffers-Whitaker, Chief Deputy Director of Human Resources and Risk Management for Anderson County; Jane Pettes, Director of Clinical Operations; Jamie Chambers, LPN; and Ked Marsh, Director of Operational Services.
During the Anderson County Commission meeting on Monday night, representatives with CareHere in Nashville presented to the clinic’s medical staff and the Anderson County Human Resources Department a plaque award for excellence for its achievement in becoming a top performing CareHere clinic in its first year of operation.
CareHere, a Nashville based company that manages health care clinics and wellness centers in 24 states, including Tennessee, operates a total of 280 clinics, and of those 280, Anderson County Thrive Health and Wellness Clinic is one of its best performing onsite employee health care clinics.
Both CareHere representatives and Anderson County government officials made projections at the time the facility opened its doors for business in March 2016 that the savings to the county during its first operating year would either break even or at the most, make $18,000.
Earlier this year, Anderson County Human Resources Department, which helps oversee the clinic, learned in a meeting with CareHere officials on May 4 reviewing the clinic’s progress to date that the clinic had already surpassed benchmarks and not only broke even but saved the county $175, 927 in employee health care savings.
The results astounded CareHere officials.
Ben Barker, senior vice president with CareHere, told officials at the May 4 clinic meeting in Clinton that the Thrive Health and Wellness Clinic has seen such results that typically do not become apparent until year four or five.
During the Commission meeting Monday, Kim Jeffers-Whitaker, Chief Deputy Director of Human Resources and Risk Management for the county, reported to commissioners on the outstanding growth the clinic has seen so far, and introduced the CareHere representatives to Commission for the plaque presentation.
Said Whitaker, “When this body approved the creation of the Thrive Health and Wellness Center we informed you that it would take three years to get to the point where the savings produced from the clinic would outweigh the expenses. Today I stand before you, only 17 months later, to report that the three-year goal was realized the end of July. In March 2017 we celebrated the one year anniversary of the opening of Thrive. Since then, the clinic has continued to be a huge benefit for employees and their families. The clinic has saved the employees $30,365 since April of this year.”
Presenting the plaque to the Anderson County Human Resources Department and CareHere medical staff was Jane Pettus, Director of Clinical Operations at CareHere in Nashville.
“Anderson County Government’s new employee health center has surpassed all expectations,” remarked Pettus. “The Anderson County Health and Wellness Center provides primary care and pre-employment services with a focus on wellness and health improvement. Under the medical guidance of Whitney Gillam, FNP, and the nursing services of Jaime Chambers, LPN, the health center has seen more than 5,000 appointments and has identified more than 400 previously undiagnosed chronic health conditions. The health and wellness center has saved Anderson County taxpayers more than $175, 000 in the first year alone.”
Pettus attributed part of the health center’s success to the medical team’s “excellent service,” and Anderson County government’s overwhelming support for the clinic.
“In recognition of their extraordinary service to the employees and families of Anderson County, and the wonderful support of the Anderson County government, we would like to present this plaque for high achievement. Thank you Anderson County government for your support and for partnering with CareHere. We look forward to future success in the years to come,” stated Pettus.