Even the hospital has to contend with sick employees.While that may not be surprising, it does drive up its operating costs.In an effort to control these costs the Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) has appointed an executive director of Wellness.The position is hoped to build wellness in employees thereby reducing their need for healthcare services.Glenn Wachter, who formerly worked as project manager for the chief of Nursing, Quality & Risk at BHB, has been appointed to the post.“I am passionate about the positive impact of wellness on individuals and organisations, and also the great benefit it has in controlling healthcare costs,” said Mr Wachter in a statement released yesterday.He has previously worked as a consultant on long-term care for both BHB and the Ministry of Health. Prior to coming to Bermuda in 2009, he worked in the US as director of healthcare recruitment for Mosaic Medical Group.He has also worked as deputy state ombudsman for the State of Oregon.BHB has charged Mr Wachter with developing a wellness strategy for hospital staff and for overseeing its implementation.“Wellness is now one of the key strategic priorities of BHB, in order to combat the growing incidence of chronic, lifestyle diseases in Bermuda,” said BHB chairman Herman Tucker. “This will reduce the utilisation of hospital services and so help control healthcare costs on the Island.“As Bermuda’s only hospitals, we expect everyone at BHB from board members to management and staff to demonstrate leadership in health, including managing our own. We therefore have charged BHB with developing a comprehensive wellness strategy that is evidence-based and driven by clearly defined targets and measures.”BHB executive director David Hills said: “As an employer, we want to see our employees healthy in mind and body. This makes for a more content workforce, it improves productivity and, critically, helps us control our own healthcare premiums. We believe that a proven, evidence-based wellness programme at BHB will be of interest to other organisations for the same reasons.“Our goal is, over time, to create a paradigm shift where BHB prevents diseases, as well as treats them. Our vision is to be the first in health and wellness, and it is exciting to see the appointment of an experienced and qualified executive director of Wellness help us work towards a well Bermuda.”