I live in Enid, Oklahoma, a charming town of roughly 50,000 people nestled in the heart of rural America. Life here is simple, but the work we do is anything but. I work for one of the world’s largest international protein companies, the second-largest employer in the county. The plants under my care operate around the clock, with 1,600 people working tirelessly to produce high-quality protein that feeds the world. The hustle and bustle of these plants are palpable, and as the nurse manager, I oversee the occupational health department, ensuring that safety and wellness are always a top priority.

Our role begins with ensuring compliance with OSHA standards through programs such as hearing screenings, respiratory programs, post-offer health assessments, and drug testing. On top of these programs, we provide immediate care for day-to-day injuries—slip and falls, lacerations, smashed fingers, and musculoskeletal complaints that come with the territory of physical labor. We offer a variety of treatments, including ice, heat, muscle rubs, K-taping, and over-the-counter medications. The joy in my job comes not only from treating these injuries but from the satisfaction of knowing that we’re creating a safe and supportive environment for our workers.

However, not all injuries can be treated in-house. In cases where the injury or illness requires more advanced care, I have the privilege of managing the workers’ compensation process. Oklahoma is an employer-choice state, meaning I have the ability to select the best physician and appointment times for our team members, ensuring they receive timely and top-notch care. We also pride ourselves on our robust light-duty program, which allows us to accommodate nearly any restriction or accommodation a worker may need, helping them return to work sooner and recover more quickly.

But my favorite part of my job—what truly gets me out of bed each morning—is health promotion. A healthy worker is a happy and productive worker, and promoting health and wellness is key to retention and job satisfaction. We have an incredibly diverse workforce, with many of our workers hailing from Pacific Islander and Hispanic cultures. While our backgrounds may differ, our need for love, acceptance, and healthcare is universal.

Access to healthcare can be a challenge in rural Oklahoma. While we’re fortunate to have an onsite clinic available free of charge for our team members, access to specialists is a different story. The nearest specialists are located in Oklahoma City or Tulsa, a 90-minute to two-hour drive away—an impossible journey for some, particularly those without cars or driver’s licenses. For many of our workers, taking time off work to attend a doctor’s appointment can mean a significant financial hit. Preventive care, while crucial, often takes a backseat when workers are more focused on putting food on the table.

This is where our onsite wellness programs come into play. I’m incredibly proud of our annual mammogram events, where we bring a mammogram bus to the plant for two days, offering screenings to around 75-80 team members without requiring them to take time off work. Preventive care is crucial, and by bringing services to the workplace, we’re removing barriers that might otherwise prevent workers from getting these life-saving screenings.

Our health fairs are another hit, especially when we focus on areas like dental care, which many of our workers were unfamiliar with. We’ve even had workers who didn’t realize that dentists are doctors for teeth! Our fairs provide an opportunity to teach them about oral hygiene, flossing, and brushing, and everyone loves the prizes we give out. These events aren’t just about health—they’re about empowerment, teaching our workers that taking care of their bodies will allow them to take care of their families for years to come.

Diabetes and high blood pressure are two of the biggest health concerns we tackle regularly. We offer screenings, educational sessions on nutrition, and medication management—especially important in a workforce where cultural differences often affect how people view and manage their health. It’s an incredible feeling to make an impact, no matter how small, on the long-term health of our workers.