NEVADA, IOWA – In October, Story Medical will launch its Occupational Health and Safety service, offering area employers a partner in providing health and wellness programming to their employees. The new service will be led by KJ Balignasay, ARNP. KJ has worked as a Nurse Case Manager for several years before becoming an Occupational Nurse Practitioner and understands the administrative needs of employers, adjusters, and case managers. KJ has also worked as an Occupational Health provider in the Des Moines area for a number of years and most recently at the University of Iowa Occupational Health Clinic in Johnston.
Balignasay will be supported by Occupational Health Nurse Michelle Stapp, RN, and Occupational Health Account Representative Kirsten Harmon. Story Medical will partner with 21st Century Rehab to provide physical therapy and rehabilitation services.
“The business community has made it clear that this is a service that is valued and needed in this region,” says Story Medical CEO Nate Thompson. “We are excited to have assembled a team that will have a meaningful impact on how employers provide a wide array of health and wellness services to their employees. By partnering with Story Medical, businesses in our region will not only have an impact on the well-being of their workers, but on their bottom line.”
Various studies point to work-related injuries and their related expenses as being one of the top three most expensive line items on an employer’s budget. Story Medical Occupational Health and Safety will partner with employers to bring proven interventions, designed to reduce those costs, into the workplace.
“We are about much more than helping employers manage workers compensation,” Balignasay says. “Yes, that is an important piece of the puzzle, but we take a more holistic approach. We want to address the more urgent needs like injuries, but we also want to help employers introduce programming that will limit the risk of injury in the first place, while promoting a healthier lifestyle in general. Our goal is to return employees to good health and to the workplace, all while reducing medical costs, lost workdays and further risk.”
Among the services provided by Story Medical Occupational Health and Safety are work injury treatment and care, drug screenings, DOT physicals, post-offer/pre-employment physicals, flu shot clinics, mask fit testing, rehabilitation services, wellness programming and more.
To learn more about Story Medical Occupational Health and Safety, visit www.storymedical.org/occhealth or call 515-382-7120.
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About Story Medical
For 60 years, Story County Medical Center, Story Medical Clinics and Story Medical Senior Care have been the trusted providers of high-quality, local healthcare services for the residents of Story County. Their modern South Campus creates a healing environment that matches the personalized care and clinical expertise of its medical staff. Visit www.StoryMedical.org for more information.