SPRINGDALE, ARK. – Tyson Foods Inc. is bringing healthcare closer to its employees. The company is partnering with Marathon Health to pilot seven “Bright Blue” health centers near production facilities. Tyson employees and their family members will have access to the free health clinics.

“We’re piloting these health centers to promote a culture of health and wellness in our company that results in a healthier workforce,” said Dr. Claudia Coplein, chief medical officer for Tyson Foods. “Some of our front-line team members aren’t using their health plan benefits, and others don’t seek care until there’s a crisis. We want to change that by providing access to care that can help detect health conditions early and promote healthy habits.”

Marathon Health operates the health centers, which provide primary and preventive healthcare including screenings, lifestyle coaching and health education.

The first facility to open on April 28 was in Dyersburg, Tenn., near the Tyson plant in Newbern, Tenn. Lisa Davis, a Tyson employee, was the first team member to visit the clinic.

“We have three-year old twins and are often at the doctor for regular check-ups and runny noses,” Davis said. “My daughter Rylee has Down syndrome and is in speech therapy, so communication can sometimes be difficult. The staff was patient, and we had an amazing experience. We’ll definitely be back.”

The seven pilot locations will serve nearly 38,000 Tyson employees and their families. Spouses and dependents age 2 and older, who are covered by the Tyson insurance plan, will be eligible. The clinics will serve employees in multiple languages.

In addition to the Tennessee location, health centers will open in Green Forest, Ark., on May 12; in Lexington, Neb., on May 12; in Wilkesboro, NC, and Center, Texas, on May 19; in Storm Lake, Iowa, on May 26; and the location in Garden City, Kan., will open sometime this summer.

“Partnering with Tyson to improve the health and wellbeing of their employees and families is an honor for Marathon Health,” said Jeff Wells, chief executive officer of Marathon Health. “We offer care that often looks beyond the symptoms and helps people take new actions around their own health. We are excited to see the profound changes in the lives of the people we will serve at the Tyson health centers.”

The pilot health center project is the next step in the company’s “We Care” workplace safety program to prioritize employee health and wellness.

In addition, more than 40,000 Tyson Foods employees have been vaccinated so far at more than 100 events held on-site at Tyson facilities or in nearby community facilities.