NHS-Sequoyah Named Chamber’s May Member of the Month

NHS-Sequoyah was recognized as the May Chamber Member of the Month.

The Sallisaw Chamber of Commerce hosted its monthly membership meeting Wednesday at the Journey’s banquet room at Ruger’s.

Recognized as the May Chamber Member of the Month was NHS-Sequoyah. Chamber President-Elect Jaime Henson, in President Marley Abell’s absence, said the local hospital has stepped up to both improve its image and reputation in the community and to continue offering services to area residents. Under the leadership of new Administrator Stephanie Six, all directors came on board to further her vision, and as a result, they are seeing record-breaking numbers across departments.

As chamber members dined on a lunch of catfish, chicken, fries, beans and cornbread, and corn on the cob, Jackie England with Cherokee Nation Career Services advised an opioid grant is available to help get anyone affected by the opioid crisis back in the workforce; for information, call 918-776-0416.

Chris Berton (above, left) and Daryn Crawford (right), with Megaphone Pro Solutions, spoke about the new chamber website they developed, with added features for members in the now searchable directory.

“For those businesses who don’t have a website, use this directory as your web presence,” Berton explained, adding that an embeddable map is also available to give customers directions to a business.

Keynote speaker for the meeting was Oklahoma’s Labor Commissioner Leslie Osborn (above), who spoke about what the labor commission does, including child labor laws and wage and hour division.

“Most of the other things we do at the Department of Labor have come about because somebody was injured,” Osborn said. “Almost everything we do is about safety.”

From inspecting every public access elevator in the state annually, to every amusement park ride at county fairs and administering the alarm and locksmith industry, the labor department is all about public safety.

Osborn said her department also helps promote safety in the workforce.

“We provide actual consultation programs called Safety Saves to any small business in any of the 77 counties,” she added, noting that small business is defined as 500 employees or less. “We will come out to any business in the state … and do a walkthrough – it is confidential and free – and we will work with you, bring in OSHA consultants and make sure your place of business is workplace friendly.”

Osborn said changes such as placing shields on things, lighting, exits, placing arrows of where you can or cannot walk, caustic chemicals, ventilation may be necessary for compliance.

“Because of this program we do, we have one of the lowest rates in the United States of people being injured on the job,” Osborn said. “We also are one of only seven states with primary jurisdiction in the public sector for safety consultation … for cities, counties and schools.”

Any small business interested in Safety Saves can contact Chamber Director Marty Green at 918-775-2558.

Pam Cloud, Managing News Director

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