Health Access Network Health Access Motto
   
Noah Nesin, MD; HAN Medical Diretcor consults with a LP&T employee
Health Access Network and Lincoln Paper and Tissue
Wellness Event
10/04/2007
 
Dr. Antunes & Theresa Knowles, RN of HAN meet with LP&T Employee Karen Stanley. Medical Assistant of HAN, takes an LP&T employee's blood pressure Tammy Chabot, RN; HAN Operations Director consults with LP&T employee
     

A total of 83 Lincoln Paper & Tissue (LP&T) employees participated in a wellness event held on September 20th and 21st at LP&T.  The goal of this event, a unique partnership between Health Access Network (health care professional), LP&T (employer), and CIGNA HealthCare (health plan), was to provide employees with comprehensive support and the tools necessary to become healthier individuals.

Employees visited seven individual stations including registration; point of service testing (weight, blood pressure, BMI, cholesterol and glucose); review of medical history with a registered nurse; discussion of screening results, risk factors and development of a personal health plan with a physician; nutrition counseling with Penobscot Valley Hospital’s Dietician; exercise and weight loss counseling; and tobacco and second hand smoke counseling.  Upon completion of visiting all stations, employees received a $15 Wal-Mart gift card, compliments of LP&T, and a free pedometer provided by CIGNA.

The long-term vision is to be able to offer on-going physician services on-site at LP&T.  “Providing employees with on-site wellness resources is a step towards improving the health of our employees which is the most effective way to decrease the rapidly escalating cost of providing health insurance to employees and their families.  We believe that promoting wellness initiatives that support healthier lifestyles, provide early intervention and promote healthy relationships with local health care providers and health plans not only contributes to the welfare of our employees, but ultimately to our bottom line as well,” states Keith Vanscotta, LP&T Owner. 

Noah Nesin, M.D., Medical Director of the Health Access Network was the on-site physician who provided screening results, risk factors and health care plans to employees.  “Holding this type of event accomplishes three goals.  First, it provides real information to employees regarding their blood pressure, weight, blood sugar, and lifestyle.  We are then able to identify individuals who need interventions.  Finally, we can discuss management of their health care issues,” Dr. Nesin said.  Paulo Antunes, M.D., a new physician at Health Access Network was available to meet with employees seeking a primary care physician.  A number of employees made a follow-up appointment with Dr. Antunes. 

CIGNA HealthCare was instrumental in guiding LP&T on some of their health care initiatives as well as working with Health Access Network to plan the activities.  Senior Medical Executive for New England, Robert Hockmuth, M.D. states "This event was a great example of the collaboration between health care professionals, an employer and a health plan to align all of our incentives around improving the health of our members.  By promoting the importance of preventive care, we know we can not only potentially save lives, but we have the chance to keep people healthier and expand the quality of their lives."