How Dallas food company keeps workers healthy - The Dallas Morning News

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For many workers, the risk of taking a sick day and losing wages isn’t an option.

Dallas-based Hardie’s Fresh Foods, recognizing the impact on its employees and productivity, entered into an arrangement with a Houston-based company to host an onsite health clinic.

Hardie’s executives see the move as not only a cost-saving measure, but also an investment in the more than 400 employees at the fruit processing plant on North Cockrell Hill Road in Oak Cliff.

During a recent visit to Dallas, Hamilton Health Box Chief Medical Officer, Glenn Davis, talked about how the company sets up clinics on company properties to provide medical care, including checkups, minor health concerns and COVID-19 testing.

“We are able to diagnose symptoms earlier,” he said, adding that the trained staff can prescribe medication, make referrals and determine if a hospital visit is needed.

Having these services on site helped Hardie’s avoid a shutdown during the pandemic, according to the company.

Davis praised Hardie’s leadership for joining other companies in working to deal with the health crisis and promote safer, healthier workplaces.

Vice President Jennifer Hardie Austin and human resources director Melinda Munoz say the benefits of having a doctor on call made good business sense to them.

“The decision to go with Hamilton will benefit the company and our employees,” Munoz said.

Davis, who has degrees from Texas A&M and Baylor College of Medicine, said companies with 150 or more employees can benefit significantly from contracting with Hamilton.

Illnesses are quickly addressed, he said, and in many cases, employees can go back to work the same day without using any sick time.

A key component of the onsite clinic is the telemedicine system that Davis said removes barriers to care, allowing doctors to interact with patients virtually or in person.

During Davis’ recent visit, nurse Paola Olguin spoke about the program’s importance, noting that employees’ family members are also able to take advantage of services.

Free generic medication is another perk for employees on the company’s low-cost health plan, she added, which averages between $40 and $50 per per month.

This column, originally published in Texas Metro News, is reprinted as part of a collaborative partnership between The Dallas Morning News and TMN. The partnership seeks to boost coverage of Dallas’ communities of color, particularly in southern Dallas.

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