Carnival opens employee health clinic at its Miami headquarters

Among the only facilities of its kind in South Florida, the new 1,100-square-foot Carnival Care Center provides walk-in medical treatment for non-emergency illnesses and injuries, as well as management of chronic medical conditions, preventive care, and a variety of health consultation and wellness services.

The clinic complements the company’s employee wellness initiatives which include an on-site gym, fitness and yoga classes, and healthy eating seminars.

The medical facility is part of a new US trend. In the past four years, 30% of large corporations have opened on-site health clinics, 16% offer pharmacy services and 67% have implemented on-site fitness programs and facilities.

Carnival president and ceo Gerry Cahill said his line's facilities make it one of the most employee-focused places to work in South Florida. 'Carnival Care Center not only helps our employees lead healthier lives but also provides Carnival with a competitive advantage in employee recruitment and retention,' he added.

Located in the South Tower lobby of Carnival headquarters, the Carnival Care Center is operated by Marathon Health, a nationwide provider of workplace health services. Open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., the facility is staffed by a licensed nurse practitioner and a medical assistant, with examination rooms, a medical lab and a conference room.

Cahill said having the clinic on site is convenient for employees requiring immediate access to care for diagnosis and treatment of a non-emergency illness or injury, or pharmacy and lab services, but its true value lies in the important role the facility will play in improving employees’ health and wellness.

According to the US Surgeon General and the Centers for Disease Control, nearly half of all illnesses are preventable by controlling high-risk health factors.

'Carnival Care Center medical staff are trained in health coaching and in administering smoking-cessation, stress management and weight control programs, among many other services, which can contribute to improving our employees’ overall quality of life,' Cahill said.

Primary care services range from treatment for colds and flu to sprains, migraines and skin irritations, as well as allergy shots, annual exams, immunizations and pregnancy education. Wellness-related services include coaching for weight management, cholesterol, tobacco cessation, fitness, nutrition and stress management. Generic prescription medications are available, as well.