WorkHealthy Hospital Spotlight – Arbuckle Memorial Hospital

Posted on: 10/24/18

Arbuckle Memorial Hospital, Sulphur, is the first hospital to be featured in the regular WorkHealthy Hospital Spotlight series. This series features different hospitals in the WorkHealthy Hospitals (WHH) initiative whose efforts encompass the spirit of employee wellbeing and stand out from the crowd. Arbuckle Memorial Hospital (AMH) is a WHH Excellence hospital, which means they have demonstrated implementation of the most effective level of culture that supports employee wellbeing in all dimensions of the WHH assessment.  

What sets them apart? Arbuckle Memorial Hospital’s high level of community involvement shines a light on how much influence a hospital can have on the health and wellbeing of its employees and the community. Corporate giving and community involvement are becoming more widely recognized as essential elements of a comprehensive employee wellness initiative. Working for a purpose-centered, socially responsible organization is an even more prominent attraction to the millennial generation, who are set to become the largest percentage of our workforces.   

As a county-owned hospital in Sulphur, Arbuckle Memorial Hospital (AMH) not only gives back to their hospital employees and the town of Sulphur, but the surrounding cities that make up Murray County as well. AMH organizes an annual health fair that feels more like a small carnival. Visitors can expect music, food, games, giveaways, and bounce houses in addition to health screenings, resources, and outreach. “A healthy dose of fun,” is the theme stated for this year’s health fair that was held on Oct. 13. AMH has been awarded grants from the Ardmore Institute of Health for fitness programs and competitions in which Murray County residents are able to participate.

“Arbuckle Memorial Hospital is blessed to be in a county with wonderful people that support our hospital. AMH enjoys being out in the community and helping with activities, whether it be in Davis or Sulphur,” states Pam Chitwood, marketing/PR/wellness coordinator.

AMH has a mascot called WellBee who is a popular face at community events and within the hospital for their employee wellness program, WellBee at Work. Healthy food sold at AMH is labeled with a WellBee sticker as well as being used in communication of employee wellness policies, benefits, and programs. WellBee appears at events throughout the county including football games, parades, and health fairs, to name a few. AMH has also held a series of WellBee Classic 5K runs for the surrounding area.

AMH administrator Jeremy Jones states, “In a rural county like ours, it is critical for the hospital to assess the health care needs of the community. Active involvement within the county assures we have the information needed to formulate an appropriate long-term health improvement strategy.”

For information on the WorkHealthy Hospitals initiative, contact Sydney Tomlinson, health improvement initiatives specialist, at OHA, (405) 427-9537, or [email protected].