The Importance of Employee Wellness, Occupational Medicine

Keeping employees happy, healthy, and secure in their work should be a top priority for employers across industries. And proactive practices and programs can make all the difference in creating positive morale, increasing productivity, optimizing healthcare costs, and reducing workforce turnover.

WVU Medicine Occupational Medicine, in Martinsburg, provides a full spectrum of services to meet the health and safety needs of workers and employers in the Eastern Panhandle and surrounding areas.

Dr. Robert Cirincione, Medical Director, has treated Olympic and Professional Athletes. He describes the employees we treat as “industrial athletes” and says the clinic staff aim to deliver the same level of high-quality care that professional athletes receive.

“Sometimes people think of occupational medicine as an answer to a problem, but it can really be a resource to help look after the health needs of employees and create a thoughtful workplace wellness strategy,” said Occupational Medicine Registered Nurse Supervisor Tracy Hilton.

An Occupational Medicine program can offer services that screen for and identify issues, educate employees, and provide resources to promote health and wellness.

“An example of this full spectrum is how we can support a drug-free workplace,” Hilton said. “We offer onsite testing, but we also provide Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) resources in-system to treat, educate and monitor employees who have tested positive for drugs and/or alcohol. And we can assist with the development and administration of Drug-Free Workplace programs.”

In addition, an Occupational Medicine Program in the workplace can cover immunization programs and education, mask fittings, and plans for employee mental health and stress management.

“The mental health and wellness of your team members is vital to success,” Hilton said. “We offer stress and trauma screenings, referral coordination for behavioral health, and wellness check-ins for high-stress roles. We are happy to create a mental health and stress management plan geared to your company’s needs.”

Learn more about Occupational Medicine at WVU Medicine Berkeley Medical Center: Occupational Medicine | WVU Medicine