Greenheck Group has reaffirmed its commitment to improving healthcare accessibility and affordability for employees and their families through an expanded partnership with Premise Health. According to Chief Human Resources Officer Carrie Strobel, the collaboration strengthens the company's employee wellness initiatives by providing easier access to onsite medical care, virtual health services, and a wider range of healthcare solutions for its North Carolina workforce.

The newly established Greenheck Group Wellness Center, situated on the company's Commerce Center Drive campus, is operated by a dedicated Premise Health medical team. The facility offers an extensive selection of healthcare services, including primary care, pharmacy support, physical therapy, care coordination, and patient navigation. Employees and their eligible family members can also take advantage of Premise Health's virtual wellness platform, enabling convenient access to medical care from virtually anywhere. By combining in-person and digital healthcare options, the program aims to deliver better health outcomes while creating a more seamless and convenient care experience.

Premise Health Chief Operating Officer Beth Ratliff highlighted the continued collaboration as an important step in Greenheck Group's long-term investment in employee well-being. She noted that the new Shelby wellness center expands access to integrated healthcare by bringing together primary care, preventive services, and multiple care delivery channels. The shared objective of both organizations is to provide more connected, accessible, and effective healthcare for every employee and their family.

Earlier in the year, Greenheck Group and Premise Health also enhanced the services available at the company's existing Wellness Center in Schofield, Wisconsin. Based at Greenheck Group's flagship campus, the facility serves approximately 2,500 employees and their family members, offering many of the same comprehensive healthcare services now available at the newly opened Shelby location.

At Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS), we recognize that how we communicate can be just as impactful as what we communicate — especially when it concerns someone’s health.

Patients today face an overwhelming amount of health information — some helpful, some confusing. Whether they’re reading online resources, flipping through brochures, or reviewing informed consent forms, complex language can turn vital moments into stressful and uncertain ones.

For over a decade, our Universal Patient Language (UPL) program has focused on making healthcare communication simpler, more compassionate, and easier to act on. The goal is to remove barriers that keep patients from fully understanding, trusting, and using the information they receive.
 

Health literacy isn’t just about communication — it’s a public health priority. Studies show that nearly 90% of adults in the U.S. struggle to interpret everyday health information. The impact is far-reaching: roughly 1 million preventable hospital visits each year, $25 billion in unnecessary spending, and an overall national cost estimated at up to $238 billion.

As Andrew Whitehead, Vice President and Head of Population Health at BMS, explains: “This isn’t just about readability — it’s about responsibility. Universal Patient Language helps us meet patients where they are, especially when clarity matters most. It’s central to building equity and trust. The clearer we are, the better we serve.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reinforces this perspective: “Accurate, accessible, and actionable communication is essential to understanding, decision-making, and ultimately, better health outcomes.” That’s precisely the mission behind UPL.
 

What began as a communication framework has evolved into a company-wide movement for change. Supported by the Global Purpose & Patient Experience (GP&PE) team, UPL now shapes how we engage across every level of our organization.

Backed by an expanding network of internal advocates, UPL provides practical resources such as our AI-assisted writing guide and Cultural Adaptation Toolkit. Together, these tools help ensure that clarity, empathy, and accessibility are built into every interaction.

By integrating UPL throughout BMS, we’re advancing our commitment to make health information understandable for every patient — regardless of language, culture, or circumstance. This work reflects our belief that everyone deserves the chance to live a healthier, more fulfilling life.
 

As UPL grows, we’re working hand-in-hand with patients to refine our approach and test what truly makes a difference.

A recent collaboration between UPL and our Patient Engagement & Recruitment team focused on women living with triple-negative breast cancer. Together, they redesigned clinical trial materials — such as outreach letters, brochures, and visit guides — using UPL principles to make them more inclusive, relatable, and emotionally supportive.

When these updated materials were reviewed by patients, the results were encouraging. Participants reported feeling more informed, confident, and respected.

One patient, Atiba, shared: “I could see the thoughtfulness — you kept the human part in the conversation. The first version felt scientific, but the second felt like you were speaking to me.”

Another participant, Carol, added: “Everything in that moment is already overwhelming. Simplify it, make it clear — that’s the first step to healing.”

Even with a small group, the outcome was evident: patients felt more valued, empowered, and ready to take action.
 

Moving forward, BMS will continue investing in new tools and collaborations that make understanding health information easier for everyone. Because when people truly understand their options, they can make informed decisions about their care.

As Jasmine Greenamyer, Vice President of Global Purpose & Patient Experience, explains:
“Patient-centricity is part of our DNA. When we make health information clear and human, we do more than communicate — we build trust, inspire confidence, and connect science with the people it’s meant to serve.”

At its core, UPL is about access, trust, and empowerment. It’s how we’re helping life-changing medicines reach patients faster — with compassion, understanding, and the respect every person deserves.

Click here to know more.