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Executive Health Physicals Program Delivers Same-day Results, Long-term Support

roberjm7 — Sat, 06 Apr 2024 03:24:19 +0000

Executive Health Physicals Program Delivers Same-day Results, Long-term Support roberjm7 Fri, 04/05/2024 - 22:24 RSS:

This is the perfect time of year to talk to a health care provider about getting in shape for spring and summer activities. However, carving out time for a yearly check-up can be difficult for busy executives in your organization. The Vanderbilt Executive Health Physicals (EHP) program eliminates long wait times and extra appointments by making exams more efficient. It gives you all the information you need in a single session. Here’s how it works:

Participants in the EHP program arrive fasting so providers can get a blood draw and labs at the beginning of the appointment.
The appointment proceeds with a treadmill test, fitness evaluation and a physical exam during which the physician can review lab results on the spot.
By the end of the appointment, patients have their lab results and a care plan ready to initiate if necessary.
After the physical, patients receive 12 months of health coaching to ensure they stay on track to healthier outcomes.

EHP physicians spend as much time as needed with patients to ensure they feel comfortable, informed and confident about their health. Our team of physicians, nurses, exercise physiologists and dietitians work together to ensure there are no gaps in care, and we can quickly refer patients to top Vanderbilt specialists as necessary.

If you're interested in cutting down wait times and getting comprehensive care for your executives, the EHP program offers blocks of exams to cover your entire leadership team. Learn more by calling (615) 343-9557, emailing employersolutions@vumc.org or visiting our website.

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Mary Voss Is Enjoying Life ‘More Than Ever’ After Success on the Medical Weight Loss Bundle

roberjm7 — Fri, 05 Apr 2024 16:06:05 +0000

Mary Voss Is Enjoying Life ‘More Than Ever’ After Success on the Medical Weight Loss Bundle roberjm7 Fri, 04/05/2024 - 11:06 RSS:

At one point a few years ago, Mary Voss weighed well over 400 pounds. She feared her health would mean less quality time with her grown children and grandchildren. “I was afraid I was going to die,” she said.

Her weight made it difficult to attend her kids’ school functions, buy clothes or even sit and enjoy a Nashville Predators hockey game. It also made it harder to work in her job as an LPN in Neurology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. She got out of breath just walking to the mailbox each day.

And there were other challenges that were more intangible: “The way people looked at you was embarrassing,” she said. “Looking back, I can see that there was stigma.”

The practical difficulties coupled with feelings of shame convinced Voss it was time to take control of her weight. When her physician told her to lose 30 pounds prior to a knee replacement, she lost 33. Then he challenged her: “If you can do that, how much more can you lose?”

By July of 2022, through diet and exercise and under the guidance of her physician, she had shed 115 lbs. But she wasn’t satisfied.

Over lunch one day, a VUMC coworker asked Voss why she frequently ate salad. “I’m still trying to lose weight,” Voss said. Then the coworker told her about medical weight loss through Vanderbilt’s MyWeightLossHealth Bundle.

When Voss made an appointment to check her eligibility, patient navigator Karina Nelson answered her call. “Everybody needs a Karina; she was there every step of the way,” Voss said. Karina signed up Voss for the bundle and helped set up her appointments. She also gave Voss emotional support when her weight loss journey wasn’t progressing as quickly as she had hoped.

“She was what I needed to help it all come together,” Voss said. “Vanderbilt has all the pieces to the puzzle—you get a nutritionist, doctors and nurses, and a patient navigator. Even though I’m a nurse, I didn’t have enough knowledge about weight loss. With Vanderbilt, I’m much more successful now than I was by myself.”

Voss has lost an additional 100 pounds since she started the Medical Weight Loss Bundle and is now down to around 180. “It’s been a blessing, and truly life-changing,” she said. For the first time in 30 years, she’s running in 5Ks and other races. Her energy level is up, and she’s no longer taking blood pressure or heart medications.

Working at her job is much easier, too. “I can jump up and run to help someone,” she said. “I don’t mind taking the stairs. I’m even parking in the back of the parking lot.”

She’s also able to get down on the floor to play with her six-year-old grandson.

The MyWeightLoss Bundle is offered to VUMC employees on the VUMC Health Plan at no out-of-pocket costs. Voss thinks offering the benefit says a lot about her employer: “They want you to be healthy, and they care enough about you to offer it for free. No other hospital that I know of offers anything like this.”

Voss is confident that she will keep the weight off. “The things I learned I’m going to take with me.” She emphasized that she does not consider herself to be on a diet. “I eat regular food; it’s just that I learned portion control and the plate method. I think I failed in the past because I was on a ‘diet.’”

Looking back on her transformation inspires Voss to be an example for others. “If I can help one person go from where I was to where I am now, I’ll be successful,” she said. “I enjoy life more than ever.”

Learn more about Vanderbilt's MyWeightLossHealth Bundles on this webpage.

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5 Reasons Patients Choose Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital for Their Weight Loss Experience

roberjm7 — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 15:44:29 +0000

5 Reasons Patients Choose Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital for Their Weight Loss Experience roberjm7 Wed, 04/03/2024 - 10:44 RSS:

Losing weight, and keeping it off, can be a difficult goal to reach. The MyWeightLossHealth Bundle—both medical and surgical—provides a streamlined and personalized approach to weight loss. And it's now available at Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital (VWCH)—closer to home for many Middle Tennessee residents.

These bundles include a customized care plan that combines nutrition, exercise, psychological support and possibly surgery when appropriate. This comprehensive approach sets up patients for long-lasting success.

Here are five reasons patients choose VWCH and the Vanderbilt Weight Loss Center Lebanon for their MyWeightLossHealth Bundle experience:

VWCH is closer to home for many, and it has a community feel, with almost all clinic staff living in Wilson County.

Patients experience a shorter wait time to see clinic staff. Two nurse practitioners have been added recently to the Vanderbilt Weight Loss Center Lebanon staff.

Patients find it easy to park at the clinic and hospital.

Patients consistently report high satisfaction levels. Overall, almost all Vanderbilt Weight Loss Center Lebanon patients surveyed rated their patient experience a 9/10 or 10/10.

VWCH has been honored for patient safety excellence. The Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit that monitors patient safety in hospitals, named VWCH as a Top General Hospital for 2023. The nonprofit also awarded it an “A” Hospital Safety Grade for putting systems in place to prevent medical errors and ensure higher-quality care and lower infection rates.

Learn more about the Vanderbilt MyHealth Bundles program at this link.

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Employers Embracing Value-Based Care Models to Lower Costs and Improve Access

roberjm7 — Wed, 20 Mar 2024 15:51:00 +0000

Employers Embracing Value-Based Care Models to Lower Costs and Improve Access roberjm7 Wed, 03/20/2024 - 10:51 RSS:

According to professional services firm Aon, U.S. employers are expected to see a 6.5% increase in what they pay for their employees' health care. But more definitely does not mean better—Ellen Kelsay, president and CEO of Business Group on Health, says that employers will have to disrupt the U.S. health care system sooner than later, noting that the status quo only points to higher costs and less accessibility.

Since 2018, Disney has partnered directly with Orlando Health and Florida Hospital to deliver health care for its 77,000-plus employees in Orlando, Florida. "The intent of this initiative was to improve the quality of care and align financial incentives directly with [care] delivery systems," Eric Chaisson, senior vice president of total rewards at The Walt Disney Company, told Employer Benefit News. "In doing so, Disney disrupted the traditional fee-for-service payment model typically utilized in employer-based plans."

Chaisson says the partnership has encouraged employees to proactively seek care rather than wait for their health conditions to get worse—not to mention more expensive."The consistent level of participation in these plans, along with the reductions in cost and increase in quality outcomes has proved successful and a benefit for our employees," he said.

Like Disney is doing for its employees in Florida, Tennessee employers are partnering directly with Vanderbilt Health to implement value-based benefit programs like MyHealth Bundles that prioritize achieving better patient health outcomes at a lower cost. Click this link to learn more.

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MyHealth Bundles Program Recognized for Health Equity Impact

roberjm7 — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 15:41:33 +0000

MyHealth Bundles Program Recognized for Health Equity Impact roberjm7 Fri, 03/15/2024 - 10:41 RSS:

MyHealth Bundles was recently honored with a 2023-2024 Innovation Award from the National Committee for Quality Assurance. The awards recognize organizations for implementing leading-edge strategies that improve both quality and value. Projects are judged on innovation and creativity, sustainability, scalability and impact on the intended audience.

The award recognized the innovative ways that Vanderbilt Health's provider-led bundles program is breaking down health equity barriers. Evidence for greater health equity is mounting, particularly in the case of the two MyWeightLossHealth Bundles, which combine all services needed for a successful weight loss journey, all at low to no out-of-pocket cost to employees. Patients choose a medical weight loss bundle or a surgical weight loss bundle that offers either gastric sleeve or gastric bypass.

Each bundle also features care navigation, nutrition, exercise, psychological support and enhanced patient communication through dedicated patient navigators who provide one-on-one support.

The program is seeing positive outcomes:

In 2022, patients who chose surgical weight loss had an average weight loss of 63.5 lbs at six months post-operation and 81.2 lbs lost at one-year post-operation—an estimated savings of more than $120,000.
Patients who chose medical weight loss had an average weight loss of 17.4 lbs at 6 months.
A cohort study found that 60% of participants lost at least 5% of their weight, equating to nearly $1,000 per year in savings per participating member.
With the MyWeightLossHealth Bundle, employees have lost more than 7,000 pounds, and co-morbidities such as diabetes and heart disease have seen dramatic improvement.
Utilization of the employee benefits plan has increased from 3% to 11%, leading to broader cost savings and higher employee satisfaction.

Read more about the award at this link, and learn how to get started with MyHealth Bundles on this site.

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Vanderbilt's Maternity Bundle Eases Stress for First-Time Parents

roberjm7 — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 21:30:55 +0000

Vanderbilt's Maternity Bundle Eases Stress for First-Time Parents roberjm7 Wed, 03/06/2024 - 15:30 RSS:

While welcoming a child is a happy occasion, many families also experience stress related to health care costs along with the burden of going through a health event—even when there aren’t complications. For employees starting or growing their family, the MyMaternityHealth Bundle is designed to minimize stress, thanks to low- to no out-of-pocked costs for employees and a dedicated patient navigator to walk new parents through every step of their health journey.

The program coordinates all services an expectant mother needs from the initial prenatal care visit until 12 weeks after delivery with low to no out-of-pocket costs. It also features free education classes, telehealth visits and tele-lactation services. Vanderbilt’s MyHealth Bundles reduce stress on enrollees while also signaling to employees that their company prioritizes their well-being.

“We had a wonderful experience with the MyMaternityHealth Bundle,” said David Newton, MD, Resident, Department of Anesthesiology, and wife Mallory Newton, Physician Assistant, Department of Endocrinology. “My wife and I are both health care providers at VUMC, and the excellent service we received as patients made us proud to be employees of the institution. Having the all-inclusive care package put our minds at ease as we anticipated the birth of our first child, giving us the mental space to focus on being new parents.

“We recommend the maternity health bundle to all our friends planning to have kids,” he continued, “and would be excited if we get to enroll again in our future.”

For more details on MyMaternityHealth, visit this site. And read more patient success stories at this link.

The Newton family praised the "wonderful experience" they had in MyMaternityHealth Bundle, a benefit they said made them "proud to be employees" of VUMC.

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New Vanderbilt Medical Laboratories Expand Capabilities and Patient Benefits

roberjm7 — Tue, 05 Mar 2024 21:07:26 +0000

New Vanderbilt Medical Laboratories Expand Capabilities and Patient Benefits roberjm7 Tue, 03/05/2024 - 15:07 RSS:

A new Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) clinical laboratory facility is open for business following a relocation to a 110,000-square-foot facility in Nashville's MetroCenter neighborhood. The new lab is located about five miles from VUMC’s main Nashville campus.

The new laboratory more than doubles the space of VUMC’s prior laboratory and expands the workspace of more than 350 laboratory personnel.

At this facility more than 550 tests can now be performed under one roof. Services are focused on outpatient and specialized testing, including histology, cytology, hematopathology, molecular diagnostics, infectious diseases, and genomic testing, as well as expansion of testing services to external clients.

Along with the move to MetroCenter, approximately 13,000 square feet of clinical laboratory space at the Medical Center’s main campus will be renovated and instrumentation upgraded for improved efficiencies. The capability to run more than 130 tests will remain on campus to support inpatient care, surgeries and the adult and pediatric emergency departments.

“With the opening of our MetroCenter core laboratory and the insourcing of laboratory tests, we are well-positioned to expand our extramural practice growth and reach our goal of becoming the preferred laboratory provider in the Southeast region,” said Victoria Laughman, Vice President for Business Development for Laboratory Services. “It also allows us to serve our ambulatory practices and regional hospitals better and helps grow their practices, while meeting the needs of local community providers.”

Learn more about the new facilities in this VUMC Reporter article by Jill Clendening.

A fully automated system transports samples throughout the Core Laboratory space, sorting and delivering them to stations for analysis. VUMC is the first working laboratory location in the United States where a vertical lift component of the system has been installed. (photo by Susan Urmy)

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Vanderbilt Health Educational Events Boost Whole Person Health

roberjm7 — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 14:50:02 +0000

Vanderbilt Health Educational Events Boost Whole Person Health roberjm7 Thu, 02/29/2024 - 08:50 RSS:

As part of the Vanderbilt Total Health program, Vanderbilt experts can deliver in-person or virtual health educational events tailored to your workforce health needs. Created as a low-cost, high-return alternative to expensive seminars and training conferences, these events can be supplements to existing health and wellness programs, or an added employee benefit.

Employers can choose wellness and prevention topics that are most meaningful and relevant to their employees.The top 5 most popular topics of the past year have been:

Work/Life Balance
Mindfulness
Nutrition on a Budget
Winter Blues/Seasonal Affective Disorder
Diabetes Prevention

“Our educational events provide bite-sized learning opportunities for employees in a relaxed, informal atmosphere,” said Donna Skupien, BSN, RN, MBA, Vice President, Growth and Innovation, Employer Solutions. “Providing these kinds of opportunities for learning and growth demonstrates an investment in employees' development, which can lead to increased job satisfaction and morale.”

Here are other frequent topics aimed at meeting physical, mental and spiritual needs:

Physical Health

The Value of Having a Primary Care Provider / Medical Home (Health by the Decade)
Cancer Prevention (general or specific)
Healthy Nutrition on a Budget
Weight Management
Understanding Your Medications (and Controlling Your Costs)
Diabetes Prevention
Disability and Accessibility Awareness
Improving Posture and Ergonomics
Healthy Holidays
Combating Nicotine Use (Vaping, Smoking, Dip)
Pediatric Health Topics

Mental & Spiritual Health

Mindfulness (Overview/Series)
Work/Life Balance
Stress Management
Substance Use
Anxiety and Depression
Mapping Out an Intentional Life Based on Your Values
Winter Blues (Seasonal Affective Order)
Eating Disorders
Caregiver Support
Leader Training
Navigating Mental Health Treatment Options
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Group Classes

Nicotine Treatment Program
First Aid /CPR and AED (Basic Life Support Certification)
Mental Health First Aid
Mindfulness Series
Naloxone (Narcan™) training
Anger Management

To learn more and plan an educational event, email employersolutions@vumc.org or call (615) 421–0112.

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Quantum Health Announces Industry-First Collaboration With the Vanderbilt Health Affiliated Network

roberjm7 — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 17:21:06 +0000

Quantum Health Announces Industry-First Collaboration With the Vanderbilt Health Affiliated Network roberjm7 Mon, 02/26/2024 - 11:21 RSS:

The Vanderbilt Health Affiliated Network is making headlines today for a relationship in development with Quantum Health, a health care navigation company that works with self-insured employers to manage their health plan costs. One goal of this work is to enable Quantum Health’s early intervention capabilities to better identify patients who need access to high-quality care and/or would benefit from additional clinical support from VHAN’s Care Management team.

“We see tremendous alignment between VHAN’s mission to improve health and strengthen communities and what Quantum Health has demonstrated it can do for its employer clients,” said Brent McDonald, senior vice president and chief strategy officer for VHAN. “We know that large, self-insured employers are increasingly adding navigation models to their benefits strategies, and we see nothing but added value when we align our different organizations in the pursuit of the same goal. We look forward to improving the workforce health and productivity of Quantum Health’s current and future clients in our region through this exciting work together.”

As a provider-led network, VHAN members have been collaborating for over a decade with their fellow providers and practices in pursuit of its mission. The relationship that VHAN is developing with Quantum Health is an example of how collaboration can extend to other, like-minded organizations.

Learn more here, and in this article from Fierce Healthcare.

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Employer Solutions to Host a GLP-1 Town Hall

roberjm7 — Mon, 12 Feb 2024 20:27:55 +0000

Employer Solutions to Host a GLP-1 Town Hall roberjm7 Mon, 02/12/2024 - 14:27 RSS:

Your company’s approach to weight-loss medications should depend on several factors, including the needs of your employee population and your long-term benefits strategy. To learn more about best practices around covering these medications, register to attend the Employer Solutions GLP-1 Town Hall on Thursday, March 7, at 12 p.m.

Register now at this link.

The town hall will cover:

GLP-1 drugs’ impact on obesity and its co-morbidities
How increased usage of these medications leads to higher pharmacy benefits costs
Recommendations for combating high costs and mitigating the impact on health plans
Strategies for communicating pharmacy benefits to employees

Vanderbilt Health experts will discuss the cost implications of GLP-1 medications for health plans and offer solutions to help employees who may be coming off these medications. Panelists are:

Sabrina Poon, MD, MPH, Medical Director, Office of Episodes of Care, VUMC
Rick Ohmer, Executive Director of Compensation and Benefits, VUMC
Jared Schnake, PharmD, Staff Pharmacist, VUMC
Michelle Ross, RD, LDN, Registered Dietitian, Center for Surgical Weight Loss, VUMC

Attendees are encouraged to send in questions prior to the town hall here.

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GLP-1 Drugs for Weight Loss Drive Up Pharmacy Benefit Spend for Employers

roberjm7 — Wed, 07 Feb 2024 16:07:03 +0000

GLP-1 Drugs for Weight Loss Drive Up Pharmacy Benefit Spend for Employers roberjm7 Wed, 02/07/2024 - 10:07 RSS:

For the last year, the health care industry has debated whether a class of drugs known as GLP-1 agonists should be covered for weight loss. While initially developed to lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes, GLP-1s are also highly effective at helping people lose weight.

There’s no doubt that these powerhouse medications—including name-brand options such as Ozempic, Mounjaro and Wegovy—have showed promising results for obesity treatment. Studies indicate that GLP-1s can help individuals lose up to 15% of their body weight and could minimize potential side effects from obesity, such as heart and kidney problems. However, long-term results aren’t guaranteed: Many patients regain at least some of their lost weight after discontinuing the medication.

Employer Coverage of Weight-Loss Drugs

While employers typically cover GLP-1s for diabetes, not all are sold on providing them for weight loss, too. Around 40% of employers currently cover GLP-1 agonists for obesity treatment, and another 19% are considering it. Of those who plan to continue covering these medications for weight loss, a survey from Accolade found that about 75% do so to contribute to higher employee satisfaction and well-being, which could lead to lower health care costs in the long run.

The downside? GLP-1 agonists are costly, averaging more than $1,000 a month per patient. Patients also tend to take these medications for several months or years to achieve optimal results, further contributing to the already-high costs. Last year, spending on GLP-1s had a notable impact on employers’ pharmacy spend, with benefits rising 8.4% compared to 6.4% in 2022. With demand continuing to increase, employers are poised to spend even more on pharmacy coverage in 2024.

In contrast to other expensive medications used to treat rare conditions, many people qualify for the use of drugs like Ozempic to treat obesity. More than 40% of Americans are obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That percentage is expected to increase to 50% by 2030. The steep price tag for GLP-1s is due to pricing, high demand and manufacturing issues, which have caused a shortage that is expected to last until the end of 2024.

The economic reality is that employers must make difficult decisions about how to cover these medications—or whether they can at all. Over time, drug companies will develop more GLP-1 medications for weight loss, and the competition will drive down prices. Until then, employers must craft a strategy to control the use of these drugs and curb spending.

How Some Employers Are Facing the Challenge

Here’s a look at what other employers are doing:

Coverage of diet and exercise programs aimed at building healthy habits are one of the ways employers are offering their workforce an effective and affordable alternative to weight-loss medications.
Some provide access to weight-loss drugs for employees with severe obesity or those who also participate in a diet and exercise program.
Companies in industries with high turnover seem to be cautious about covering weight-loss medications. For example, the hospitality industry has a turnover rate of 150% to 200% each year. If employers cover GLP-1s, they risk paying for expensive coverage without seeing the long-term clinical or financial benefit.
Mayo Clinic will limit lifetime spending on weight-loss drugs to $20,000 per health plan member in 2024.
Some employers have decided to allow lower-cost weight-loss drugs before covering GLP-1s.
Other large employers like Ascension are eliminating coverage of off-label use, such as prescribing the drug for weight loss, altogether.

Employer Solutions to Host a GLP-1 Town Hall
Your company’s approach to weight-loss medications should depend on several factors, including the needs of your employee population and your long-term benefits strategy. To learn more about the benefits and drawbacks of covering these weight-loss medications, register for the Employer Solutions GLP-1 Town Hall on Thursday, March 7, at 12 p.m.

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How Investments in Executive Physicals Pay Off

roberjm7 — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 15:22:30 +0000

How Investments in Executive Physicals Pay Off roberjm7 Thu, 02/01/2024 - 09:22 RSS:

Executive health physicals can not only boost the health of your company’s top management, but your bottom line, too.

A three-year study conducted for BankOne identified the measurable benefits of its executive physicals program.

Executives who participated in the program incurred 17% fewer dollars in medical claims than peers who did not participate.
They also had 31% fewer short-term disability days per year.
In all, the bank realized a 2.3 to 1 return on investment in the program.

A similar study by the University of Michigan found that executives who participated in executive health programs submitted 20% fewer health claims and missed 45% fewer workdays.

Boosting Executive Performance

A good executive physical program can help keep your top performers healthy and productive. Patients lose weight, lower their blood pressure and increase their stamina. And physical exams also can identify problems like cancer and heart disease early before they become serious and costly not only to themselves but to your organization as well.

Choose Vanderbilt Executive Health Physicals

We offer one of the top executive physical programs in the country, backed by world-class care from Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Accommodating business executives, entrepreneurs and entertainers, our services are tailored to each patient’s age, gender, medical history and health goals. Our physicians perform all necessary tests in one visit, so leaders can quickly get back to their regular routine. And our secure online portal allows them to contact their care team 24/7, schedule appointments, manage medications and access their medical records.

Learn More

The Vanderbilt Executive Health Physicals program offers blocks of exams to cover your entire leadership team. Learn more by calling (615) 343-9557, emailing employersolutions@vumc.org or visiting the web page.

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Vanderbilt Transplant Center Performs 739 Life-saving Procedures in 2023

roberjm7 — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 22:19:27 +0000

Vanderbilt Transplant Center Performs 739 Life-saving Procedures in 2023 roberjm7 Wed, 01/31/2024 - 16:19 RSS:

The Vanderbilt Transplant Center (VTC) set a new record in 2023 for total solid organ transplants, performing 739 lifesaving procedures among its adult and pediatric organ transplant programs. VTC finished the year as the fifth largest transplant center by volume in the nation.

The 2023 total surpasses VTC’s previous record of 645 transplants in 2021. In 2023, VTC’s lung transplant team accomplished two notable firsts—its first combined lung-kidney transplant and first combined lung-liver transplant.

Other records were set in the comprehensive adult and pediatric kidney transplant program (326 kidneys and eight kidney-pancreas procedures) the comprehensive adult and pediatric liver transplant program (169 livers), and the lung transplant program (95 lungs, including two heart-lung procedures.)
In the Adult Transplant program, teams performed 319 kidney transplants (including eight kidney-pancreas procedures), 128 heart transplants (including two heart-lung procedures), 152 liver transplants, and 95 lung transplants (including two heart-lung procedures.)
Pediatric transplant teams with Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt performed 17 liver transplants, 15 heart transplants and 14 kidney transplants.

To learn more about the history of organ transplantation at Vanderbilt, which started with VUMC's first kidney transplant in 1962, read this article from the VUMC Reporter.

Members of the team that performed the final transplant of 2023, completed just before midnight on Dec. 31, included, from left, Madelyn Ewing, CST, Kathryn Kraft, MD, Marissa Kuo, MD, Laura Hickman, MD, MS, and Janise Malatesta, RN.

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Winter Safety Guidelines for Your Workforce

roberjm7 — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 20:10:38 +0000

Winter Safety Guidelines for Your Workforce roberjm7 Tue, 01/16/2024 - 14:10 RSS:

Middle Tennessee is under a blanket of bountiful snow this week after a record 6-8 inches fell in the region over a 24-hour period. Share these helpful articles with your employees to help them have fun and stay safe in the wintry wonderland:

Employees with children are likely in search of snow day activities to keep their kids entertained. Check out these 10 simple ideas to keep the peace and pass the time.
If kids are begging to sled snowy slopes, share these helpful tips to ensure their safety.
Don't miss this advice on not wearing winter coats in car seats.
Before the next snowstorm hits, consider these tips on staying prepared.

Read more healthy advice in My Vanderbilt Health and feel free to share with your workforce.

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Cross-Town Baseball Rivals Team Up for ALS Fundraiser

roberjm7 — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 00:33:30 +0000

Cross-Town Baseball Rivals Team Up for ALS Fundraiser roberjm7 Mon, 01/15/2024 - 18:33 RSS:

Businesses can treat their employees to a fun baseball matchup and contribute to an important cause by participating in the annual "All 4 Lou Showdown: Striking Out Lou Gehrig’s Disease" event on Tuesday, March 19, at 6 p.m.

The All 4 Lou Showdown will feature the Vanderbilt Commodores men’s baseball team as they take on their cross-town rivals, the Belmont Bruins, at First Horizon Park. Tickets are now on sale for $10, with $4 from each ticket sold benefiting the Live Like Lou Fund for ALS Research at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, focused on defeating ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease.

Click this link to purchase tickets, or reach out to Erin Morrison at erin.morrison@vumc.org for additional information and sponsorship opportunities.

More About the Cause

Evan Campa, a 41-year-old mother of two, was diagnosed in 2018 with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, the most common motor neuron disease in adults. Amid traveling to participate in clinical trials, Evan and her family—husband, Eben, and children, Mae, 7, and Reuben, 5—have teamed up with Vanderbilt Health and the Live Like Lou Foundation to bring an ALS basic science research program to Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

“We’ve joined this effort because we want to do whatever we can to help further ALS in a positive direction toward treatment and cures and more hope for people.”

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At-Home Screening Kits Help Employees Stay Healthy From Anywhere

roberjm7 — Thu, 11 Jan 2024 03:52:34 +0000

At-Home Screening Kits Help Employees Stay Healthy From Anywhere roberjm7 Wed, 01/10/2024 - 21:52 RSS:

On-site health screenings have traditionally been employers’ go-to solution for keeping their workforce healthy, but what about remote and hybrid employees? Vanderbilt Health has now added at-home screening kits to its on-site health offerings to ensure all employees get the preventive care they need, regardless of location.

Preventive health screenings can help employees detect health risks early before they turn into costly and chronic conditions. Yet many screening processes are costly and inaccessible. These new kits bring a patient-friendly experience to biometric health screenings, with patented technology that pairs a mobile app with FDA-cleared devices.

“With so many businesses now offering remote and hybrid positions, it’s essential that our programs include options for engaging workers near and far in their health,” said Brent McDonald, Senior Vice President & Chief Strategy Officer for the Vanderbilt Office of Population Health.

Like in-person screening events, if an at-home screening indicates concerning results, Vanderbilt Health coaches are available to answer employees’ questions and help them with follow-up care. Employees who collect at home will see their individual screenings results in the mobile app immediately upon completion of the screening.

Employers benefit from workforce-level reports with aggregated results, which helps them identify and address population health risks.

Vanderbilt Health Employer Solutions (VHES) has provided corporate health services, including on-site health screenings, to a diverse array of employers across the country for more than three decades. Email VHES at employersolutions@vumc.org or call (615) 421–0112 to learn more about flexible health screening options for remote and hybrid workforces.

Read more about the service in this press release.

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New Strategies to Engage Your Workforce in Their Health Benefits

roberjm7 — Mon, 08 Jan 2024 21:01:50 +0000

New Strategies to Engage Your Workforce in Their Health Benefits roberjm7 Mon, 01/08/2024 - 15:01 RSS:

Eligible employees might have access to a range of benefits, including primary health coverage, employee assistance program (EAP) access, well-being incentives and more. But do they actually use those benefits? Many surveys indicate that they don’t.

For example, a Voya Financial survey found that as many as 35% of employees need help understanding their benefits and only 7% fully utilize them. On top of that, 93% of employees admit to selecting the same benefits yearly—often without fully exploring what is available.

Despite many employees lacking engagement with their health benefits, 80% of prospective employees say they would choose a job with benefits over a 30% salary increase and no benefits. In addition, 78% of employees are more likely to stay with an employer because of the benefits.

It's clear that health benefits are essential to talent acquisition and retention, and employers would benefit from helping employees engage in health benefits year-round. Below are some ways you can improve communication around workforce benefits:

Ask for and Act on Employee Feedback

Conduct regular surveys or focus groups to understand employees' feelings about their benefits. A data-driven approach can help you identify your team's pain points, value drivers and communication preferences. By acting quickly on feedback, company leaders can build trust and create a culture where employees feel safe sharing honest feedback.

Educate and Engage Your Workforce Year-round

Many employees only think about their benefits during open enrollment or when they have a health or life event that requires using them. To increase their understanding and adoption of benefits, communicate year-round using a digital-first, multi-channel marketing strategy. Align your themes to key audiences and population health goals. Your strategy could include regular webinars, presentations, microsites set up as a "one-stop-shop" for benefits information, and automated email campaigns. Regular touchpoints will keep benefits top of mind for your workforce.

Tell Stories of Success

While general benefits education is important, sometimes real-world examples can really drive home how employees can take advantage of your offerings. Share stories from members of your workforce to showcase how health benefits helped them make a change, get through a life event or better manage their health. You can tell stories that resonate with your team through videos and articles and help them better engage with the benefits offered.

Equip Supporting Teams

Equip your vendor partners and other supporting teams with the information they need to drive action and help your team utilize their benefits. Here are a few ways to accomplish this:

Design clear pathways for warm handoffs.
Develop reference guides and scripting for supporting teams.
Cross-train vendor partners on related solutions—especially if they have embedded navigators.
Host joint sessions for strategic planning.
Partner with an employer success program like the one offered by Vanderbilt Health Employer Solutions to increase benefits awareness among employees.

For more on trends in health benefits, check out these additional Employer Insights articles:

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miniVHAN Podcast Addresses Employers' Role in Proactive Mental Wellness

roberjm7 — Thu, 04 Jan 2024 19:01:16 +0000

miniVHAN Podcast Addresses Employers' Role in Proactive Mental Wellness roberjm7 Thu, 01/04/2024 - 13:01 RSS:

Martha Shepherd, DO, MPH, joined the miniVHAN podcast for a recent episode to discuss mental wellness and whole person care through the lens of her role as medical director for Vanderbilt Health at Metro Nashville Public Schools. She touches on the benefits to employees when their employers provide access to wellness tools to proactively address stress, sleep, nutrition, exercise and social connection.

She mentions how employer investment in manager training, particularly around mental health, can bolster the overall culture of an organization. "Some resources come to mind like mental health first aid, things that help managers identify and respond to signs of mental illness or substance abuse in employees," she says. "Employers can do things like modeling being off when you're off—not having that expectation that people are going to answer emails and phone calls—and having flexible work arrangements. At the end of the day, investing in employees in all these ways really pays off."

Shepherd said that she is often asked if MNPS's investment in benefits is sustainable. "They wonder if they're going to invest in these people and then they're going to leave. And I want to ask them, “Well, what if you don't invest in them and they stay?” So, a lot of times with our teachers, if they make it past year three, they're going to be with MNPS for life. So it's a strong investment. For us, healthy teachers are happier teachers. That has a ripple effect on our community."

Click this link to listen to the episode, which was part of an entire "Behavioral Health Through the Lifespan" series aimed at bolstering mental health awareness and education. (Dr. Shepherd's segment starts at 0:24.)

During the series, expert guests offered insights for understanding and coping with anxiety and depression, neurodiversity, trauma and grief. If you’ve missed any of the episodes, catch up on miniVHANpodcast.com.

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MyHealth Bundles Treating Cardiac Arrhythmias and Cancer Start in 2024

roberjm7 — Tue, 02 Jan 2024 18:06:15 +0000

MyHealth Bundles Treating Cardiac Arrhythmias and Cancer Start in 2024 roberjm7 Tue, 01/02/2024 - 12:06 RSS:

Vanderbilt's MyHealth Bundles program expanded Jan. 1, 2024, with two additional bundles to improve and streamline the health care experience and lower costs for employers and employees:

MyHeartHealth. This bundle coordinates all the services needed for patients recently diagnosed with a cardiac arrhythmia, including atrial fibrillation (AFib or AF), atrial flutter (Aflutter) and supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). This bundle features two electrophysiology (EP) procedures—catheter ablation and left atrial appendage closure.
MyOncologyHealth: This program relieves some of the burden and uncertainty of a cancer diagnosis by offering education and expert support from a registered nurse navigator. The navigator will provide education on topics such as diet and nutrition, chemotherapy, mental health, and disease-specific support for common cancers. Traditional insurance coverage applies to MyOncologyHealth.

Vanderbilt Health's program makes care more convenient for patients by combining everything they need to manage common and complex health conditions. A hallmark of the bundles program is its personalized support through a patient navigator. The heart and cancer bundles join 10 others in the MyHealth Bundles portfolio:

MyMaternityHealth — prenatal and postnatal care
MyHearingHealth — cochlear implant surgery for severe hearing loss
MySpineHealth — select spine surgeries
MyOrthoHealth — treatment and surgical options for hip, knee and shoulder pai
MyWeightLossHealth — medical and surgical weight loss
MyUrologyHealth — kidney stone treatment and prevention
MyRecoveryHealth — support for substance use disorder

Visit the MyHealth Bundles website to see features and benefits of all bundles. Email employersolutions@vumc.org or call (615) 421–0112 to learn more about how bundles work, our approach and the benefits of a direct partnership with Vanderbilt Health.

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