A new employee health center was opened today by the Unified Government.
The new 5,000-square-foot center, named the Road to Wellness Health Center, is a collaborative project of the UG, Cerner and the University of Kansas Hospital, according to an announcement. It is at 800 Ann Ave., Kansas City, Kan.
A UG spokesman said it is part of a long-term strategy to improve the health of the county and city employees and provide convenient and affordable care.
Cerner’s management of the health center will include primary care, health education through coaching, and prevention and wellness screening services centered on the preferences and risks of each plan member, according to the spokesman. The health program was launched in October 2015 with the availability of wellness screenings and health coaching services provided by Cerner for UG employees.
“Our new employee health center marks a big step toward promoting improved health and wellness among our employees,” Mayor Mark Holland said in a news release. “Not only will this service give our employees an incentive to take more preventive health measures, but we believe it will also help the Unified Government control its health care costs.
“The health center is also an opportunity to strengthen our relationship with Cerner and the University of Kansas Hospital,” he said. “I’m grateful for their support and participation.”
Members will be able to interact with their providers, review their medical records and schedule appointments using Cerner’s secure, online portal, according to the spokesman. The health center offers an array of wellness services designed to assist members in managing and preventing illness. Programming also includes preventive activities such as vaccinations, education and coaching on smoking cessation and preventive blood pressure, as well as skin cancer screenings.
“We are excited to support the Unified Government and the University of Kansas Hospital in UG’s Road to Wellness employee program,” said Mike Heckman, vice president of population health services with Cerner. “We share a vision to provide affordable, convenient and high quality health and care services to employees and their families. Cerner is eager to advance this important initiative that aims to make a positive impact on the overall health of our local community.”
The Road to Wellness Health Center is the eighth on-site health center that Cerner has opened in the Kansas City metropolitan area and one of more than 40 operated by Cerner throughout the country, according to the spokesman. The health centers pair technology with high quality clinical services designed to manage the health of workforces and families. Cerner’s care teams will use state-of-the-art technologies, including Cerner’s population health platform, HealtheIntent, to help providers deliver the right care at the right time.
KU, a leading health provider of comprehensive services for work-related injuries, will provide physician oversite for all occupational medicine programs and services for UG employees.
“Joining the Unified Government with the area’s top-ranked health system and a global leader in health care, Cerner, just makes sense,” said Chris Hansen, senior vice president for ambulatory services and chief information officer, KU. “Our physicians and other caregivers are excited about this announcement and want to see it achieve great things for the UG.”
– Story from Unified Government, University of Kansas Hospital and Cerner