An Advertising Supplement to the Orange County Business Journal • December 15, 2014

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B-38 ORANGE COUNTY BUSINESS JOURNAL EXECUTIVE HEALTH & FITNESS Advertising Supplement DECEMBER 15, 2014

ne of the most important transformations underway in health care todayis the move towards prevention and wellness. Chronic diseases are thenumber one cause of death and disability in the US. Every year 1.7million Americans die from a chronic disease—accounting for 7 out of

every 10 deaths in our country. As one of California’s leading health systems andone of Southern California’s largest employers, MemorialCare promotes employeewellness to reduce risk for lifestyle-related chronic conditions such as diabetesand hypertension.

“One of the best places to transform health care is in the workplace,” saysTammie Brailsford, RN, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.“That’s where most people spend the majority of their waking hours. So that’swhere we began our employee wellness journey. Six years ago MemorialCareimplemented an award winning prevention and wellness program, known as TheGood Life, for its 11,500 employees.”

Fork, Feet and FingersThere are three key areas to focus on in order to improve health. Dr. David Katz,

Director of Yale University Prevention Research Center stresses that what we dowith our fork, our feet and our fingers determines what we do to our future health.To that end, MemorialCare has created a work environment that supports healthyfood choices, creates opportunities to keep active and is smoke-free. With fitnesschallenges, onsite gyms and walking trails, nutritious cafeteria offerings, weightloss reduction programs and more, over 77 percent of MemorialCare’s employeesreport that their organization makes an effort to help improve their health. In arecent renovation of MemorialCare’s 15-acre, 300,000-square-foot property inFountain Valley, the health system included walking workstations and sit-standdesks to help keep employees active.

Knowledge is power, so MemorialCare also offers employees annualopportunities to learn important biometric numbers like blood pressure, bloodglucose and cholesterol, as well as confidential personal health assessments.Using a personalized, confidential online portal, employees can access healthresources including a personal scorecard, exercise and nutrition planners,wellness coaching, wellness challenges and more.

Success in Managing Chronic ConditionsChronic diseases like hypertension, diabetes, asthma and depression are

responsible for more than 75% of health care costs, so addressing theseconditions can help lower health care expenses. MemorialCare partners withemployees who have chronic conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes andhyperlipidemia to make long-lasting lifestyle changes, lessen complications,improve outcomes and lower medical and pharmaceutical costs through aninnovative program, The Good Life – In Balance. With 87 percent participantretention, the In Balanceprogram has led to clinically significant improvements inparticipants’ blood glucose and blood pressure levels. These include a 0.9average reduction in participants’ HgA1c in year one and an additional 0.4reduction in year two. Participants experienced an average reduction of 20/13 inblood pressure in year one, and an additional 16/5 average reduction in year two.

Linking Benefits to BehaviorAs a partner in health of more than 18,000 employees and dependents,

MemorialCare designs health care benefits that are financially sustainable forfamilies and for the organization. Employees are able to qualify for lower costGood Life Medical Insurance plans by completing a confidential personal healthassessment and biometric screening, and participating in wellness relatedactivities or self care. Since its launch in 2013, more than half of MemorialCare’semployees have taken the steps needed to qualify for these plans.

Managing Employer-Sponsored Health Care Spending“Wellness solutions can improve employee health and well-being, increase

employee engagement and decrease absenteeism,” according to Brailsford.“MemorialCare’s commitment to employee health and wellness has resulted insignificant reductions in its health care spending rate, dramatically below thenational average.” A recent nationwide survey conducted by Mercer revealed thenational average increase in the employer-sponsored health care spending ratewas 8.5 percent over the past five years. MemorialCare’s annual increase was 4.9percent. Normalized for one year when the health system, a self-insuredemployer, experienced several outlier cases, the system’s average rate increaseover five years was 3.5 percent, just above annual CPI. A combination of TheGood Life health and wellness initiatives linked to benefit design and strong ratenegotiations led to the results. For more information on how MemorialCarepartners with employers or for a copy of a white paper on The Good Life, call714.377.2960.

MemorialCare Health System is a nonprofit integrated delivery system thatincludes six top hospitals — Long Beach Memorial, Miller Children’s & Women’sHospital Long Beach, Community Hospital Long Beach, Orange Coast Memorial,and Saddleback Memorial Laguna Hills and San Clemente; medical groups —MemorialCare Medical Group and Greater Newport Physicians; a health plan —Seaside Health Plan; and numerous outpatient health centers, imaging centersand surgery centers throughout the Southland.

OThe Good Life for Health and Wellness

In a recent renovation of MemorialCare’s 15-acre, 300,000 square foot property in FountainValley, the health system included walking workstations and sit-stand desks.

MemorialCare has created a well workplace characterized by extraordinary employeeengagement. They show employees how to take a holistic approach to wellness by increasingphysician activity, focusing on healthy eating, supporting smoking cessation and promotingwork-life balance.

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B-42 ORANGE COUNTY BUSINESS JOURNAL EXECUTIVE HEALTH & FITNESS Advertising Supplement DECEMBER 15, 2014

tress is an emotionaland physical reactionthat we are all a little too

familiar with. We tend to worktoo hard, have too manyresponsibilities, and so manypeople to please that it can bedifficult for us to manage thestress that comes with ourlives. Being overwhelmed,overworked, and dependedupon too much can causestress to develop into a normalfeeling and reaction. Stress issuch a prevalent factor intoday’s fast-paced world thatmany of us go through our dailyroutine ignoring thepsychological and physicaleffects that it may have on us.Stress is a major setback inhow we live our lives to thefullest. We need to shift ourattention to how we can bettermanage stress and our overallwellness.

Anxiety, neck and back pain, and increased ordecreased appetite are some of the major symptoms ofstress. To rid yourself of stress and its symptoms, onemust be active in stress management techniques:eating a healthy diet, exercising and meditation. Thereare many ways you can manage stress and one of thebest solutions is to get a massage!

According to the American Psychological Association,

receiving a massage is one ofthe top three most effectivestress management techniques.Massage therapy cansignificantly reduce stress onboth psychological and physicallevels. A therapeutic massagecan relax and rejuvenate. Thereare many options for massagein Orange County but nonecompare to ElementsMassage™, the highest-ratedmassage studio*— guaranteedto be the BEST in OrangeCounty. With locationsthroughout Orange County,Elements Massage™ is a world-class studio with a mission toprovide clients with a relaxingmassage that will relieve stressand provide a calmingexperience. Massages rangefrom Swedish to sport and deeptissue, with Element’sprofessionally trained therapistsable to offer a handcrafted

massage specifically targeting your unique needs. Booksome calm into your life…schedule a massage sessionat an Elements’ Orange County Studio.

For more information on how to manage stress or tobook an appointment at Elements Massage™, pleasevisit www.elementsmassageoc.com for a list of studios.

*Highest-rated claim based on Net Promoter scoresfrom 2013 via Listen360.com

SManaging Stress in Today’s Fast-Paced Culture

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r. Morris Hasson really enjoys going to work. In his internal medicinepractice, he has returned to a more personalized approach to patient careand service. “It’s an old-fashioned idea really,” Hasson said, “like it used tobe years ago when people could see their doctor whenever they needed

to. In this type of forward-focused practice, we have the advantages of advancedtechnology and refined medical skills. I believe this offers the very highest qualityof care, making this the best of times for my patients.”

Dr. Hasson has somewhat of a unique professional background. He began hiscareer in private practice, and then seven years later he assumed the position ofMedical Director of the Executive Health and Weight Management programs atUC Irvine. It was in the Executive Health program that he became accustomed tospending significant amounts of time with each patient.

“However, I was not involved in my patients’ day-to-day medical management.Only when they returned for their annual exam the following year did I see andhear about various health or family issues that had occurred along the way.”Therefore, Dr. Hasson made the decision to re-enter general internal medicine in asmaller, more intimate practice, taking care of his patients in a comprehensivemanner.

The cornerstone for his proactive medical approach is a two-and-a-half-hourcomprehensive wellness examination. He also offers half-hour routineappointments. This remarkable amount of face-to-face time with his patients wassomething he was determined not to give up. “My patients are really happy,” saysDr. Hasson. “They have my cell phone and know they can get in to see me veryquickly any time an office visit is needed.” He cites a study in Medical Economicswhich showed 40%-60% decreased costs of hospitalization for patients in thesetypes of practices.

After his first year in his personalized care concierge practice, he re-instituted aweight program. “I really missed not having a weight management component inmy medical practice. It is very rewarding.” The weight program has dietitians whoare healthcare educators teaching weekly classes. Dr. Hasson sees patientsweekly as well. “It is wonderful,” says Dr. Hasson “to see patients transform fromhaving to stop to catch their breath three times between the parking lot and myoffice, into patients who routinely exercise more than I do.”

To learn more about this personalized care practice, please contact Dr. Hassonat 949.382.2050. For information about the weight management program, call949.382.2800 or visit www.centerforeffectiveweightloss.com.

DOrange County’s Own Personal Physician and Weight Management Consultant

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