UniFirst Corporation (NYSE: UNF) announced the opening of its new UniFirst Health and Wellness Center located within its corporate distribution center (D.C.) in Owensboro, KY. This new medical facility offers free on-site health care and wellness coaching for its Owensboro, D.C. employee Team Partners. The clinic is part of a comprehensive initiative to increase employee focus on prevention and wellness.
Headquartered in Wilmington, Mass., UniFirst Corporation is a leading provider of customized work uniform programs, corporate attire, and facility service products to businesses throughout the U.S. and Canada. The company’s Owensboro D.C. houses more than 400 employee Team Partners.
A partnership between UniFirst and local health provider Owensboro Health will provide primary, preventive, and urgent medical services with no co-pays or deductibles to Owensboro employee Team Partners who are enrolled in the UniFirst company health plan, Monday through Friday from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. (CST).
“The opening of this clinic demonstrates UniFirst’s ongoing commitment to helping our employee Team Partners maintain overall wellness and a healthy lifestyle,” says UniFirst general manager David Roberts. “We’re thrilled to extend our comprehensive benefit offerings to now include on-site medical care that helps our Team Partners offset medical costs while providing a convenient way to access health care.”
Preventive care services, including, annual physicals, wellness screenings, related lab work, and prescriptions, will be available to all Owensboro D.C. employees. Other services available on-site include personal health coaching, weight-loss, and smoking cessation.
“This is an investment in our Team Partners,” says UniFirst human resource manager Kerry Bailey. “Our incentive was to have a healthier and happier workforce who can access health care the way it’s supposed to be—at the preventive level.”
According to Bailey, the idea for an on-site clinic was first brought up a little more than a year ago when she and Roberts approached former UniFirst president and CEO Ronald Croatti, who passed away earlier this year, with the idea for an on-site health clinic. “I remember Ron saying, ‘This is a great idea. Let’s do it.’ He was really excited about making this happen. Now, only one year later, it’s open and the feedback from our Team Partners has been tremendous.”
The on-site health facility, which was designed by Croatti’s son, UniFirst vice president of engineering and distribution Matthew Croatti, features a waiting area and two examination rooms. The clinic rounds out several other employee wellness benefits provided on the 45-acre Owensboro campus, including a fresh produce market where employees can purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, and healthy snack options; an on-site cafeteria with a daily selection of healthy entrees; a walking/running track; and a three-hole golf course.
“I don’t know of a better return on investment than the good health of our Team Partners,” Roberts added. “It’s rewarding to see our employees so motivated and excited to come to work each day because of the positive environment we have created here at UniFirst.”
