Stew Leonard’s Providing On-site Physicals for Associates
In keeping with its ongoing commitment to preventive health care, Stew Leonard's has launched a pilot program to offer on-site physicals for associates at the grocer’s flagship Norwalk, Conn., store. Manning the Stew Leonard’s “Wellness Mobile” is Igal Staw, a local doctor who has served the community for over 30 years.
“Stew Leonard’s surveyed our team members, and we found that a lack of time and not having a trusted doctor locally kept many from getting their yearly physicals,” explained Stew Leonard’s EVP of culture and communications Jill Leonard Tavello. “By bringing Dr. Staw directly to our store here in Norwalk, we hope to keep our team members healthy and reinforce the importance of preventive care.”
On June 3, the first eight employees reported to the Wellness Mobile, a private trailer behind the store, for bloodwork, an EKG, and preliminary paperwork with a staff member of Staw’s office. Today and tomorrow, Staw will carry out the physicals as well as take time to meet with each associate to answer any health care questions. If the Wellness Mobile does well in Norwalk, Stew Leonard’s plans to offer the program at its three other stores in Yonkers, N.Y., and Danbury and Newington, Conn. The grocer currently employs a total of 2,500 associates.
“Recent research shows that well over 40 percent of premature deaths in the United States can be attributed to lifestyle choices,” noted Staw. “My work at Stew’s Wellness Mobile will, of course, focus on early detection of treatable medical conditions, but the real emphasis will be on assessing each team member’s risk for chronic disease, and how they can lower that risk through smart, healthy choices in their everyday lives.”
In addition to the Wellness Mobile in Norwalk, Stew Leonard’s has provided such preventive health care to employees as on-site cholesterol and blood pressure screenings, mammograms, and flu shots throughout year, in addition to discounts on weight-loss programs, smoking cessation aids and fitness center memberships for both full- and part-timers. Further, between now and Aug. 31, the company will give associates $500 in Benefit Bucks — or money toward their deductible — as an incentive to visit a doctor for an annual checkup.
“Stew Leonard’s surveyed our team members, and we found that a lack of time and not having a trusted doctor locally kept many from getting their yearly physicals,” explained Stew Leonard’s EVP of culture and communications Jill Leonard Tavello. “By bringing Dr. Staw directly to our store here in Norwalk, we hope to keep our team members healthy and reinforce the importance of preventive care.”
On June 3, the first eight employees reported to the Wellness Mobile, a private trailer behind the store, for bloodwork, an EKG, and preliminary paperwork with a staff member of Staw’s office. Today and tomorrow, Staw will carry out the physicals as well as take time to meet with each associate to answer any health care questions. If the Wellness Mobile does well in Norwalk, Stew Leonard’s plans to offer the program at its three other stores in Yonkers, N.Y., and Danbury and Newington, Conn. The grocer currently employs a total of 2,500 associates.
“Recent research shows that well over 40 percent of premature deaths in the United States can be attributed to lifestyle choices,” noted Staw. “My work at Stew’s Wellness Mobile will, of course, focus on early detection of treatable medical conditions, but the real emphasis will be on assessing each team member’s risk for chronic disease, and how they can lower that risk through smart, healthy choices in their everyday lives.”
In addition to the Wellness Mobile in Norwalk, Stew Leonard’s has provided such preventive health care to employees as on-site cholesterol and blood pressure screenings, mammograms, and flu shots throughout year, in addition to discounts on weight-loss programs, smoking cessation aids and fitness center memberships for both full- and part-timers. Further, between now and Aug. 31, the company will give associates $500 in Benefit Bucks — or money toward their deductible — as an incentive to visit a doctor for an annual checkup.