TAMC given top award for healthy work environment
PRMC leaders pose for a photograph after the HPA’s Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award luncheon, at the Koolau Ballrooms and Convention Center, Kaneohe, Oct. 19. They are, from left, Richard Ries, Resiliency subject matter expert, Care Provider Support Program, PRMC; Howard Reyes, supervisor, CPSP, PRMC; Col. J. Anson Smith, commander, PRMC and TAMC; and Dr. David Brown, chief, Behavioral Health, PRMC.
More than 4,000 work, stay fit, use day care, train at medical center
Story and photos by
Stephanie Bryant
Tripler Army Medical Center Public Affairs
KANEOHE — Tripler Army Medical Center was presented with a “Psychologically Healthy Workplace” award by the Hawaii Psychological Association, Oct. 19, during an awards luncheon at the Koolau Ballrooms and Conference Center, here.
This is the 13th year that HPA, in cooperation with the American Psychological Association, has established the “healthy workplace” awards in Hawaii, but this year was the first time that Tripler has applied for recognition.
HPA holds the event in cooperation with the American Psychological Association, or APA.
Now in its 13th year, the program recognizes organizations statewide that have demonstrated excellence in the implementation of psychologically healthy work policies and practices.
Tripler took top honors in the military organization category.
In order to be eligible for the award, Tripler had to to undergo a site visit from HPA representatives. Categories examined during the visit included employee growth and development, employee involvement in decision-making, work-life balance, and health and safety.
“Win or lose, this process allowed us to learn about what we are doing right and what we aren’t doing right,” said Richard Ries, resiliency subject matter expert, Care Provider Support Program, Pacific Regional Medical Command.
“There are bottom-line values (to participating in a program like this),” said Ries.
More than 25 staff members from TAMC join Col. J. Anson Smith (back row, center, holding plaque), commander, PRMC and TAMC, to accept a psychologically health workplace award from HPA during a luncheon at the Koolau Ballrooms and Convention Center, Oct. 19.
“Tripler is an amazing place to work,” said Dr. Daniel Kopf, a member of the HPA who was part of the site visit. “The application (for the award) that they gave us was literally 50 to 60 pages long.”
Additionally, Tripler was invited to apply to the APA’s national Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award competition.
Some of the programs and services that make Tripler, which has around 4,000 employees, such an employee-friendly place to work include employee fitness rooms, resiliency classes, on-site day care, and numerous training opportunities and benefits, such as tuition reimbursement.
According to Ries, employers who support their employees’ psychological and holistic well-being help “reduce costs across the board, reduce attrition and turnovers, and increase productivity levels.”
“(The programs and services Tripler provides) all around makes for a better, more productive, well-rounded staff,” said Howard Reyes, supervisor, CPSP, PRMC. “It shows the things (Tripler’s leadership) are emphasizing really promotes employee participation … and health and wellness makes a big difference in the hospital and the productivity of our staff.”
Additionally, competing for awards, such as these, give organizations like Tripler the opportunity to network with other local organizations and share their knowledge and programs.
On the Web
For more information on healthy workplace environments, visit the Hawaii Psychological Association at www.hawaiipsychology.org.
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