Winn Army Community Hospital recognized with Safety Star

By John D. Tongret, USA MEDDAC FORT STEWART Public Affairs OfficerJune 24, 2015

Star Status
Maj. Gen. Jimmie O. Keenan, Deputy Commanding General -- Operations, presented Winn Army Community Hospital, United States Army Medical Activity (MEDDAC), Fort Stewart, Ga. with the Army's Safety and Occupational Health "Star Status" award. The award... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

During a special ceremony June 24th, Winn Army Community Hospital, United States Army Medical Activity (MEDDAC), Fort Stewart, Ga., was recognized by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for superior excellence in health and worker safety and awarded the Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) Star Status; designating the base as a Star site within the Department of Defense (DoD).

The ceremony, officially recognizing the hospital for the highest and most challenging participation category in OSHA's achievement program, served to recognize USA MEDDAC Fort Stewart as only the second Army MEDDAC in the continental United States to earn the Army Safety and Occupational Health Star Award. The Presentation of the Star Flag was made by to MEDDAC Commander, Colonel Kirk Eggleston by Major General Jimmie Keenan, Deputy Commanding General, United States Medical Command.

"We are proud of this accomplishment, because you have to get 100% employee buy-in for safety," Joe Petrotta, Safety Manager, USA MEDDAC Fort Stewart, said. "It takes a collective effort to make an organization safe; it is everyone's responsibility job to engage in safety, not just the Safety Office," said Petrotta.

Within the OSHA program, three levels of designation or achievement can be attained: Star, Merit, or Star Demonstration. The Star designation indicates the hospital's successful demonstration of continued and ongoing planning, implementation, integration, and control of the four interdependent elements of the VPP at the highest level:

• Management Leadership & Employee Involvement

• Worksite Analysis

• Hazard Prevention & Control

• Safety and Health Training

"It's a unique event for military hospitals. Being only the second military hospital and we achieved it on the first attempt," Col. Kirk W. Eggleston, commanding officer, Winn Army Community Hospital, said.

"It helps us validate that we are a high-reliability organization; and we have a good staff that takes safety seriously for everyone who walks through our doors," Eggleston said when asked about the significance of the event.

Through continued emphasis on safety with new and current staff, USA MEDDAC Fort Stewart has established a firm foundation for safety as it works to maintain its goal of providing patients with the best hospital experience possible.

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Winn Army Community Hospital