Medical Staff at Health First’s Palm Bay Hospital Gift Massage Chairs to Hospital Associates

“Santa” came early for many associates at Health First’s Palm Bay Hospital

Medical Executive Committee at Health First’s Palm Bay Hospital donated a dozen full-body massage chairs valued at well over $8,000 for associate use.

BREVARD COUNTY • PALM BAY, FLORIDA – “Santa” came a little early for many associates at Health First’s Palm Bay Hospital, and his bag was quite, umm… heavy.

The Medical Executive Committee (MEC) at Health First’s Palm Bay Hospital has donated a dozen full-body massage chairs valued at well over $8,000 for associate use.

These chairs have been delivered and installed in various associate break areas across the hospital and were presented as both a “thank you” and a means to restore and recharge front-line caregivers in order to provide the best care possible to Palm Bay Hospital patients.

“Our physicians have been so incredibly thankful and appreciative for the hard work and resilience our associates have demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic, and we really wanted to brainstorm a way to not only give back – but give a gift that keeps giving over and over,” Tony Tran, M.D., Medical Staff President, who championed the efforts at Palm Bay Hospital.

“While healthcare and the hospital setting in general can be a traditionally stressful work environment, that has only been magnified in multiples during the numerous COVID spikes we’ve experienced over the course of the last two years. These chairs are a fabulous way for our associates to relax and recharge – for themselves and our patients,” Tran continued.

“Numerous studies have been done looking at the impact of massage and relaxation therapy methods on healthcare employees, showing a reduction in stress, and an increase in energy, and improved employee morale,” said Brian Boggs, M.D., Vice President of Medical Affairs at Palm Bay Hospital. “I was excited by the response and interest our physicians showed in making this effort possible, and I’m so thankful we were able to make this happen for our valued team members.”

“Our associates and caregivers have experienced a historical event over the course of two years – the likes of which no one could have ever predicted and may never see again in our lifetime,” said Virginia “Ginny” Garner, Vice President of Nursing at Palm Bay Hospital.

“Our Health First leadership and community have been incredibly supportive, but this is just something that no one could have ever expected. It’s an amazing and thoughtful gift of relaxation, rejuvenation … and time. And to purchase these chairs and place them throughout our hospital care units shows the level of detail and care that went into this amazing gift – our physicians wanted to ensure the benefit was experienced across the entire facility.”

The Palm Bay Hospital medical staff, spearheaded by the Medical Executive Committee (MEC) has regularly brought in coffee and food trucks for associates as a thank you and show of appreciation. But this time, staff wanted to do something with real, long-lasting impacts.

The MEC enlisted the help of Liz Lenza, Medical Staff Coordinator, to procure the gifts. She poured over specs to find the very best chairs for the budget, then prodded Dr. Tran and others to wait for holiday sales to extend their resources.

“Sure enough, Black Friday dropped the prices dramatically, and I nabbed them. I think it’s such a fabulous idea, and I love our MEC for it. They’re so supportive of all the associates. This blew my mind,” she said.

“Now, our associates know that they can step away from the unit for a few minutes to unwind, decompress, and just know how much their health and well-being means to us,” said Kyle Baxter, Palm Bay Hospital Administrator.

“Our associates mean so much to us – and this entire community – and I am so grateful for the love and partnership our medical staff has shown toward our associates. It demonstrates the heart we have for one another, and how that transcends into the Palm Bay and Brevard community. This gift was an expression of compassion from the physicians for the entire team, and is one that will continue to be a tool to support the resilience of our associates long after this historically difficult time passes.”

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