Erlanger Health System will administer health care services for Volkswagen's in-plant medical center at its Chattanooga auto assembly factory, executives said today.
Hans-Herbert Jagla, executive vice president of human resources for VW's Chattanooga operations, said the plant will be state-of-the-art and health care services for team members must be of the same level.
"Erlang-er's deep roots in the Chattanooga community, excellent standards for quality of care and the competitive nature of their bid make them the perfect partner for Volkswagen," he said.
The three-year contract calls for five full-time medical professionals, including a dedicated medical doctor, a physician's assistant, a registered nurse and two medical assistants.
The Erlanger team will provide care for the various medical needs of the more than 2,000 employees at the plant. Erlanger currently provides similar services out of a trailer at the construction site.
Erlanger Chief Executive Officer Jim Brexler said its emphasis on quality of care and VW's image for building a high-quality product is "a perfect match."
"I have no doubt our employees and medical staff will exceed expectations in delivering world-class care to a world-class organization," Mr. Brexler said.
The clinic will be a fully-functioning on-site primary care facility that focuses on work-related injuries, on-site physical therapy and equipped for traumas, according to VW.
VW WORKERS* Volkswagen has hired more than 300 employees so far for its Chattanooga facility.* Hiring will accelerate in the first quarter of the year.* Company plans to bring on more than 2,000 workers.
The clinic also will treat such personal illnesses as colds, flu and allergy shots as well as provide annual health screens, health risk appraisals for new hires and lifestyle improvement opportunities such as tobacco cessation, company officials said.
The on-site clinic is scheduled to be operational by July of this year.
The 2 million-square-foot plant is slated to start producing vehicles in the first part of 2011.