Lia Lansky, who has been serving as system director of wellbeing for Baptist, was recently promoted to chief wellbeing officer for BestHealth. Dr. Jake Lancaster, chief medical officer of Baptist Medical Group and chief medical information officer for Baptist, will also be assuming an expanded role to include chief medical officer for BestHealth. Lia and Dr. Lancaster are the first to serve in these newly created positions emphasizing Baptist’s commitment to the health and well-being of team members. With these changes, BestHealth is better positioned to expand services and help team members lead even healthier lives.
Lia, how has your role changed since becoming chief wellbeing officer for BestHealth?
Lia Lansky:
Since taking on the role of chief wellbeing officer for BestHealth, my responsibilities have evolved significantly. I now focus on designing a strategic roadmap that connects well-being to our overall business strategy. This involves providing a wide range of services and capabilities to help program participants reach their individual well-being goals while ensuring alignment with corporate well-being initiatives.
I also collaborate with internal and external leaders to identify business opportunities that enhance our presence in the well-being market and strengthen our brand within our communities.
Dr. Lancaster, please tell us about your role as chief medical officer for BestHealth.
Dr. Lancaster:
I’ve been working with BestHealth on the virtual clinic and with an intensive dietary management (IDM) study. I have also been part of the BestHealth Core Leadership Group. As chief medical officer for BestHealth, I will continue my efforts in these areas, as well as advise on programs offered by BestHealth and serve as a clinical and medical resource.
We are taking what we learned from the IDM study and rolling out our lifestyle transformation program for team members and patients of the virtual clinic. We will gain even more insight on using this dietary management variation on fasting protocols to help manage weight loss, blood pressure, waist circumference and A1C (blood test that measures average blood sugar levels).
Could you tell me more about the virtual clinic?
Lia Lansky:
For years now, our own Baptist Medical Group providers have been asking for a way to refer their patients who are not employed by Baptist to BestHealth. We launched the virtual clinic this year as a way for providers to refer patients to our clinic for nutrition, exercise prescription and tobacco cessation. The clinic is gaining momentum, and we hope this serves to improve our quality metrics within Baptist Medical Group.
How would you explain BestHealth to a new team member?
Lia Lansky:
BestHealth is Baptist’s comprehensive, voluntary well-being program designed to support team members and their families in living their healthiest lives. Through preventive screenings, coaching and programming, we equip participants with the tools they need to thrive. Our population health model emphasizes care by our nurse care coordinators, wellbeing specialists and registered dietitians and reinforces our partnerships with primary care providers to drive long-term health improvements.
At its heart, BestHealth is about driving meaningful behavior change that empowers individuals to embrace healthier lifestyles. This shift happens not just through education but by creating a culture of readiness, encouraging team members to take proactive steps in their wellness journeys.
BestHealth is a huge benefit for anyone working for Baptist. All of our services and programming are free, and we incentivize team members to participate. Numerous testimonials from team members have shown that this program has helped not only team members, but also their families become healthier.
How does BestHealth improve the health of team members and their families?
Dr. Lancaster:
BestHealth is dedicated to preventing the onset of chronic diseases and assisting individuals who are already managing conditions, such as diabetes and hypertension. We identify those at risk of developing chronic health issues through health screenings and provide incentives to encourage more team members to participate in these screenings. For individuals identified as at risk, prevention measures may include a referral to a wellbeing specialist and an exercise prescription.
Lia Lansky:
The core goal of BestHealth is to improve health status and outcomes. We do this by constantly reinforcing the importance of a healthy lifestyle and celebrating the benefits of making healthy choices each day. BestHealth consistently delivers positive health outcomes for our team, lowering A1C levels by 10%, reducing hypertension by over 50% and detecting cancer early, showcasing its results.
Our focus is heavily weighted toward prevention, early detection and proactive management of chronic conditions. This involves health screenings, goal setting, continuous education, dedicated coaching and seamless care coordination with primary care providers. It’s about meeting people where they are and guiding them toward better health.
Would you like to add anything?
Dr. Lancaster:
I am passionate about wellness and excited to contribute more to the BestHealth program. Many of our team members dedicate their days to caring for patients, but it’s challenging to perform at your best if you aren’t in good health yourself. BestHealth encourages team members to prioritize their own well-being so that they can bring their best selves to work.
Lia Lansky:
Investing in employee wellbeing is a strategic investment in our most valuable asset — our people. It drives down our health care costs, boosts productivity and innovation, improves morale and builds a stronger, more resilient workforce and community.
The BestHealth team and I can’t wait to tackle our well-being and health care goals! Our mission is about boosting positive health outcomes, shaking things up with innovative health approaches, and proving the awesomeness of our programs. We are excited to keep expanding, sharing our passion and having a good time while making a real difference in people’s lives!
